israel

The Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said nine people, including children, had died in the strikes.

In Jerusalem, the rocket fire caused Israel's parliament to be evacuated as sirens sounded.

Tensions between Israel and the Palestinians spiralled in recent days.

Gaza's Hamas rulers had threatened to strike after hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police in Jerusalem on Monday.

At least 45 people died in the crush at the Lag B'Omer festival, near Mount Meron, when they became trapped in an overcrowded passageway. Some 150 people were injured.

The identification process was paused for 24 hours late on Friday to mark the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest.

Work is expected to resume after sunset on Saturday, which ends the Sabbath.

So far, 22 bodies have been released for burial.

The country's coronavirus death toll remained unchanged at 6346 on Thursday, health ministry data showed.

The last time Israel reported zero Covid-19 deaths was at the end of June last year, after lockdown measures curbed a first wave of infections.

Israel's outbreak has eased after hitting its peak in January this year.

The Israeli government started to relax lockdown restrictions a month later as vaccinations against Covid-19 were rolled out more widely.

 The programme is the first virtual intensive training on agricultural extension for intensive vegetable production for the entire Pacific islands region including Vanuatu.

Israeli Ambassador to the Pacific Island Countries, Dr Tibor Shalev Schlosser said the programme will be dedicated to meeting the challenges and the special climate and land conditions of the Pacific Islands.

The country's second lockdown begins on Friday and lasts at least three weeks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the measures would "exact a heavy price on us all", but the country faced a surge with 4,000 new daily infections.

A minister has resigned to protest against the restrictions that overlap with important Jewish festivals.

The El Al airliner made the three-hour trip, carrying a delegation of Israeli and US officials.

The flight was allowed to cross Saudi Arabian airspace, normally blocked to Israeli air traffic.

The UAE has become only the third Arab country in the Middle East to recognise Israel since its founding in 1948.

On Saturday, the UAE repealed a law boycotting Israel which had been in place since 1972, and last month the two countries opened direct telephone services for the first time.

Palestinian medics said eight members of one family died in the strike, among them five children.

Israel said the attack targeted the home of Rasmi Abu Malhous, who it called a militant commander from the group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

It said no civilians were expected to be in harm's way.

The attack in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, was the deadliest episode in a two-day exchange of fire between Israel and the Palestinian group.

It took place on Thursday, shortly before a ceasefire came into effect.

The centrist Blue and White alliance of former military chief Benny Gantz was projected to win 36 or 37 seats, with the Likud party of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 33 to 36.

Both men have claimed victory.

Two exit polls predicted that right-wing parties allied to Mr Netanyahu were more likely to be able to form a governing coalition.

But a third exit poll predicted that the bloc would be tied with centre-left parties allied to Mr Gantz.

Militants fired 300 rockets and mortars at Israel. One hit an empty bus, seriously injuring a soldier nearby.

Israel responded with more than 70 strikes on what it said were targets belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Three Palestinians, two of them reportedly militants, were killed.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said nine Palestinians were injured.

Meanwhile, Israeli medics said 10 people in Israel were injured.

Charlot Salwai was pressed on the issue by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a bilateral meeting last week.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the hurdles in the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict, as occupied East Jerusalem is wanted as the capital of any future Palestinian state.

Last year, the United States switched its recognition from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a decision that was criticised as a major setback for progress towards any Middle East peace agreement.

Most western countries - including New Zealand - have refused to follow suit.