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Gaza hit by fresh Israeli strikes Gaza hit by fresh Israeli strikes
(about 2 hours later)
Israel has launched new air strikes on what it calls Hamas targets near Gaza City, killing at least four people. Israel has launched new air strikes on what it calls Hamas targets near Gaza City, killing at least five people, four of them fighters loyal to Hamas.
Four others were wounded in the raids, Palestinian rescue workers said.Four others were wounded in the raids, Palestinian rescue workers said.
The attacks followed a series of Israeli air strikes in Gaza on Thursday which killed six Palestinians - including four Hamas members. The attacks followed a series of Israeli air strikes in Gaza on Thursday which killed six Palestinians.
Israel said the raids were in response to Hamas rocket attacks on its soil. They come amid fighting between Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah.Israel said the raids were in response to Hamas rocket attacks on its soil. They come amid fighting between Hamas and rival Palestinian faction Fatah.
The infighting has left at least 40 people dead in the past five days.The infighting has left at least 40 people dead in the past five days.
Correspondents say the rocket attacks on Israel appeared to be an attempt to draw it into an internal Palestinian conflict, although the Israeli defence ministry has denied its attacks are linked to factional fighting.Correspondents say the rocket attacks on Israel appeared to be an attempt to draw it into an internal Palestinian conflict, although the Israeli defence ministry has denied its attacks are linked to factional fighting.
Meanwhile, the United Nations' new envoy to the Middle East, Michael Williams, has warned that the situation in Gaza could deteriorate rapidly.
He told the Financial Times newspaper that it may become difficult to contain the violence.
It was unclear whether fresh elections would end the violence or provide a firm political basis for negotiation, he said.
'Defensive operation'
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads Fatah, may travel to Gaza from the West Bank on Friday to try to shore up the fourth Hamas-Fatah ceasefire in five days.
HAVE YOUR SAY How can Palestinians unite when the West and Israel will only support one side? Angs, New York Send us your comments Residents' voices Fatah v HamasHAVE YOUR SAY How can Palestinians unite when the West and Israel will only support one side? Angs, New York Send us your comments Residents' voices Fatah v Hamas
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads Fatah, on Thursday suddenly called off a trip to Gaza that had been billed as an effort to shore up the fourth Hamas-Fatah ceasefire in five days. The trip, due to take place on Thursday, was called off at the last minute apparently over security concerns.
Officials said he might now travel from Ramallah in the West Bank on Friday. Israel on Thursday carried out four air strikes in the Gaza Strip. It also deployed tanks and infantry units on the border.
Israel on Thursday carried out four air strikes in the Gaza Strip. It also deployed tanks and infantry across units on the border.
A military spokesman said the force was on a "defensive operation".A military spokesman said the force was on a "defensive operation".
The moves came after Hamas militants fired more rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot.The moves came after Hamas militants fired more rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot.
The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says there is mounting speculation that Israel is planning a ground offensive into Gaza.The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says there is mounting speculation that Israel is planning a ground offensive into Gaza.
Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005.Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
Hamas' armed wing threatened to renew suicide bombings in Israel after the strike.