Hamas has launched a barrage of rocket attacks with more than 120 rockets towards the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon in southern Israel in response to Israeli airstrikes, the organization said in a statement.

According to the BBC, waves of rockets are being fired into Israel from Gaza.

Initial reports are of four wounded in Ashkelon, just north of Gaza, one of them seriously.

According to CNN correspondents in the area, rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system.

In response the israeli army announced the complete blockade of gaza, putting the area under siege. At the same time, the army informed that it has launched an “extensive” attack on Hamas centers in Gaza.

Earlier, Hamas announced that Israeli airstrikes overnight and this morning in Gaza killed four hostages held by the group.

The exact number of people being held captive by Hamas has not been released, but the Israeli military said this morning that there were “dozens”.