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Rockets fired from Gaza as tensions escalate with Israel Rockets fired from Gaza as tensions escalate with Israel
(31 minutes later)
Around a dozen rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel in the early hours of Wednesday morning, bringing the total to more than 60 following a militant attack on the Egyptian-Israeli border on Monday which sparked the current spiral of attacks and counter-attacks. About a dozen rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel in the early hours of Wednesday morning, bringing the total to more than 60 following a militant attack on the Egyptian-Israeli border on Monday that sparked the current spiral of attacks and counter-attacks.
Four Israeli border guards were taken to hospital after being injured by a rocket. Four Israeli border guards were taken to hospital after being injured.
A two-year-old Palestinian girl was killed in an explosion in Gaza on Tuesday evening, and her brother was injured. The Israeli military denied it had launched an airstrike in the area. According to the Palestinian news agency, Ma'an, witnesses said the child died when militants launched a rocket nearby. A two-year-old Palestinian girl was killed in an explosion in Gaza on Tuesday evening, and her brother was injured. The Israeli military denied it had launched an air strike in the area. According to the Palestinian news agency, Ma'an, witnesses said the child died when militants launched a rocket nearby.
Six Palestinians have been killed in targeted airstrikes carried out by the Israeli air force since Monday afternoon. At least seven targets were struck by Israeli missiles on Tuesday night and early Wednesday. Six Palestinians have been killed in targeted air strikes carried out by the Israeli air force since Monday afternoon. At least seven targets were struck by Israeli missiles on Tuesday night and early on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Hamas said its militants were responsible for firing a volley of rockets from Gaza into Israel for the first time in months. The Izz al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, said in a statement that its operatives had fired a dozen rockets "as a response to Israeli continued crimes against our people in the Gaza Strip". Its target was a nearby Israeli military base, it said. On Tuesday, Hamas said its militants were responsible for firing a volley of rockets from Gaza into Israel for the first time in months. The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, said in a statement that its operatives had fired a dozen rockets "as a response to Israeli continued crimes against our people in the Gaza Strip". Its target was a nearby Israeli military base, it said.
Hamas has largely adhered to a series of ceasefires since the three-week war in Gaza ended in January 2009, although it has not contained rocket fire from other militant groups, notably Islamic Jihad. Hamas was weakened by Israel's military onslaught, known as Operation Cast Lead, and is reluctant to provoke another major confrontation with Israel.Hamas has largely adhered to a series of ceasefires since the three-week war in Gaza ended in January 2009, although it has not contained rocket fire from other militant groups, notably Islamic Jihad. Hamas was weakened by Israel's military onslaught, known as Operation Cast Lead, and is reluctant to provoke another major confrontation with Israel.
The IDF holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire and attacks emanating from Gaza, and says it "will continue to operate against those who use terror against the State of Israel".The IDF holds Hamas responsible for all rocket fire and attacks emanating from Gaza, and says it "will continue to operate against those who use terror against the State of Israel".
Silvan Shalom, vice prime minister, warned that may consider a ground operation in Gaza if the situation worsens. "The more things deteriorate, the closer we come to a decision we don't want to make," he told Israel Radio. Silvan Shalom, Israel's vice prime minister, warned that it may consider a ground operation in Gaza if the situation worsens. "The more things deteriorate, the closer we come to a decision we don't want to make," he told Israel Radio.
"The prospect of a ground operation shouldn't frighten us. If this situation escalates, and I hope it won't, then all options are open. They know it. We know it. The international community knows it.""The prospect of a ground operation shouldn't frighten us. If this situation escalates, and I hope it won't, then all options are open. They know it. We know it. The international community knows it."
Monday's attack on the Israel-Egypt border, in which an Arab construction worker was killed, was claimed by a group called the Mujahedeen Shura Council of Jerusalem which says it has links to Al Qaida. It distributed a video in which two men, an Egyptian and a Saudi national, said they were embarking on a "double suicide mission". Monday's attack on the Israel-Egypt border, in which an Arab construction worker was killed, was claimed by a group called the Mujahedeen Shura Council of Jerusalem which says it has links to al-Qaida. It distributed a video in which two men, an Egyptian and a Saudi national, said they were embarking on a "double suicide mission".
Two militants were shot dead by Israeli forces during the attack, and a third escaped. Israel deployed tanks along the border in a technical breach of its 1979 peace treaty with Egypt.Two militants were shot dead by Israeli forces during the attack, and a third escaped. Israel deployed tanks along the border in a technical breach of its 1979 peace treaty with Egypt.
Since the Egyptian revolution, Israel has been alarmed at the deterioration of security in the Sinai, the vast desert area which abuts Israel's southern border. Both counties have permitted the other to step up their military presence close to the border. Since the Egyptian revolution, Israel has been alarmed at the deterioration of security in the Sinai, the vast desert area that abuts Israel's southern border. Both counties have permitted the other to step up their military presence close to the border.
Last summer, a group of militants killed eight Israelis in a cross-border raid, during which five Egyptian security personnel were shot dead by IDF soldiers. The incident added to tensions between the two countries following the fall of former Egyptian president and friend of Israel, Hosni Mubarak.Last summer, a group of militants killed eight Israelis in a cross-border raid, during which five Egyptian security personnel were shot dead by IDF soldiers. The incident added to tensions between the two countries following the fall of former Egyptian president and friend of Israel, Hosni Mubarak.
Israel is deeply concerned about the growing power and influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. The organisation has close ties to Hamas.Israel is deeply concerned about the growing power and influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. The organisation has close ties to Hamas.