An Israeli man was killed overnight after a rocket from the Gaza Strip struck the city of Ashkelon, officials said Sunday.

Police said the man died from critical wounds suffered in the rocket strike after being taken to hospital.

A spokeswoman for the Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon identified the man as Moshe Agadi, a 58-year-old father of four from the city, who was outside his home when a rocket hit.

He was the first Israeli killed in the flare-up of violence that began Saturday.

More than 250 rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip since Saturday, Israel's military says, and Israel has responded with air and tank strikes.

The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire.

Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fought three wars since 2008 and fears remain of a fourth.

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