Israeli warplanes carried out sonic booms in the skies of Gaza Strip on Sunday afternoon, causing wide-spread panic, witnesses said.

The sound of two sonic booms was loudly heard in Gaza city and northern Gaza Strip areas. Members of Hamas forces were seen running away from their headquarters when they heard the huge sound.

Earlier Sunday, Israeli gunboats opened their fire at Palestinian fishing boat near the coast of Rafah city in southern Gaza Strip, damaging a number of boats.

In December, the Israeli airplanes launched simultaneous airstrikes at Hamas' police and security stations, killing tens of officers. The strikes continued and after six days Israel sent ground forces to the Hamas-controlled territory. More than 1,300 Palestinians were killed in the 22-day offensive.

Egypt, which mediated a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in June 2008, is still unable to renew the agreement due to the Israeli internal situation.