Live Updates: 5,000 Rockets From Gaza Hit Israel, "State Of War" Declared

The Israeli army warned of sirens across the country's south and central areas, urging the public to stay near bomb shelters.

Barrages of rockets were fired from the blockaded Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing at least one person in Israel, an AFP journalist and medics said.

The Israeli army warned of sirens across the country's south and central areas, urging the public to stay near bomb shelters.

The armed wing of Palestinian group Hamas said it was behind the fire, claiming its militants had launched more than 5,000 rockets.

"We decided to put an end to all the crimes of the occupation (Israel), their time for rampaging without being held accountable is over," the group said.