Palestinian Militants Fire More Than 30 Rockets, Mortars From Gaza Into Israel

All India Radio
December 24, 2008

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/523/palestinian-militants-fire-more-than-30-rockets

Palestinian militants have fired more than 30 rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel in retaliation for the deaths of three of its fighters. An Israeli police spokesman said no one was injured in the rocket barrage but a factory, a home and other structures were damaged. Israeli Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilani warned on army radio that the renewed barrages of rocket fire are intolerable and we will take all necessary measures to stop them.

The Hamas said the bombardment was in retaliation for the deaths of three of its fighters in a clash with Israeli troops. Israel said the militants were planting explosives in northern Gaza along the border fence.
Israel has also announced of closing the Gaza border because of the rocket barrages. Earlier Israel had agreed to open cargo crossings from on Wednesday to allow in a limited amount of food, medicines and fuel.

Amid the violence, both sides have expressed willingness to consider reviving the six-month truce, which lapsed on Friday. Egypt, which mediated the original cease-fire, is leading the diplomatic efforts to renew it. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo on Thursday. Hamas has also said that the group is ready to renew the truce if Israel respects the conditions of a ceasefire including lifting the blockade of Gaza and stopping military raids. The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said, after meeting the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo that Egypt will push for a new truce between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.

Meanwhile aid groups have warned of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, which has been largely cut off from the outside world by Israel since Hamas violently seized power in June 2007.

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