At least two people have been killed in a fresh round of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, recent reports say.

The airstrikes, which were launched in the early hours of Friday, hit seven targets near Gaza’s border with Egypt.

Medics say several people have been left wounded or missing in the sudden outburst of violence, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Meanwhile, Hamas and Palestinian radio stations have confirmed that Israeli F-16 jets and gunboats bombed Khan Yunis.

The attacks come in the midst of fully-fledged Israeli war games in the Negev desert, which are believed to be preparation for a new attempt to overthrow Hamas government, which came to power after Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2007.

An Israeli TV channel reported the military drills on Thursday, saying the rightist government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely gearing up for a massive attack on Gaza shortly after the anniversary of the deadly Gaza onslaught last year.

The war-game is said to be aimed at recognizing and the mistakes of Israel’s 22-day offensive on Gaza last year, which led to the deaths of over 1,400 Palestinians and cost Tel Aviv severe criticism at home and abroad.

(Press TV)