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Gaza rocket fire kills three Israelis, violence escalates Gaza rocket fire kills three Israelis, violence escalates
(35 minutes later)
Three people have been killed as rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel, amid escalating violence.Three people have been killed as rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel, amid escalating violence.
They died when a four-storey building in the town of Kiryat Malachi was hit.They died when a four-storey building in the town of Kiryat Malachi was hit.
It marks the first Israeli fatalities since Israel killed Hamas' military chief in Gaza on Wednesday.It marks the first Israeli fatalities since Israel killed Hamas' military chief in Gaza on Wednesday.
Eleven Palestinians - mainly militants but also children - have been killed in the ensuing Israeli operation. Since then, more than 130 rockets have been fired into Israel, police say.Eleven Palestinians - mainly militants but also children - have been killed in the ensuing Israeli operation. Since then, more than 130 rockets have been fired into Israel, police say.
Hundreds of rockets were fired into Israel by militants in Gaza, and Israel carried out numerous air strikes as cross-border violence soared in recent weeks.Hundreds of rockets were fired into Israel by militants in Gaza, and Israel carried out numerous air strikes as cross-border violence soared in recent weeks.
Israel said the head of Hamas' military wing, Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, who died when his car was hit in Gaza City, was responsible for all attacks from Gaza in the past decade.Israel said the head of Hamas' military wing, Ahmed Said Khalil al-Jabari, who died when his car was hit in Gaza City, was responsible for all attacks from Gaza in the past decade.
Hamas militants have been running Gaza since 2007.Hamas militants have been running Gaza since 2007.
In a separate development, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas reportedly cut short his trip to Switzerland and was returning to his base in the West Bank to deal with the growing crisis.In a separate development, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas reportedly cut short his trip to Switzerland and was returning to his base in the West Bank to deal with the growing crisis.
'Gates of hell''Gates of hell'
The three Israelis - two women and a man - died when a rocket hit the top floor of the building in Kiryat Malachi, about 25km (15 miles) north of Gaza.The three Israelis - two women and a man - died when a rocket hit the top floor of the building in Kiryat Malachi, about 25km (15 miles) north of Gaza.
Three other people - a four-year-old boy and two babies - were injured, Israel's foreign ministry said.Three other people - a four-year-old boy and two babies - were injured, Israel's foreign ministry said.
The building's residents were warned by sirens about the impending attack, but did not have enough time to flee the building, reports said.The building's residents were warned by sirens about the impending attack, but did not have enough time to flee the building, reports said.
Meanwhile, three Palestinian militants were killed in Israeli air strikes on Thursday, Palestinian medics said.Meanwhile, three Palestinian militants were killed in Israeli air strikes on Thursday, Palestinian medics said.
After a relatively quiet night, violence picked up again in the morning the BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says.After a relatively quiet night, violence picked up again in the morning the BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza City says.
He says vapour trails from rockets being fired by Palestinian militants can be seen, and intermittently large mushrooms of smoke appear from Israeli air strikes.He says vapour trails from rockets being fired by Palestinian militants can be seen, and intermittently large mushrooms of smoke appear from Israeli air strikes.
Reports in Israel's media say that a rocket hit a house in Ashdod without causing injuries and another rocket landed close to a school in Beer Tuvya. There were also reports of rockets landing in Ofakim and Ashkelon.Reports in Israel's media say that a rocket hit a house in Ashdod without causing injuries and another rocket landed close to a school in Beer Tuvya. There were also reports of rockets landing in Ofakim and Ashkelon.
Hamas on Thursday said it had fired missiles at Tel Aviv - but the claim was denied as "psychological propaganda" by the Israel Defence Forces.Hamas on Thursday said it had fired missiles at Tel Aviv - but the claim was denied as "psychological propaganda" by the Israel Defence Forces.
So far the violence does not appear on the same scale as the last Gaza war almost four years ago when hundreds of Palestinians were killed on the first day of Israel's operation, our correspondent adds. Thirteen Israelis also died in that conflict.So far the violence does not appear on the same scale as the last Gaza war almost four years ago when hundreds of Palestinians were killed on the first day of Israel's operation, our correspondent adds. Thirteen Israelis also died in that conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his country is prepared to extend its operation against Hamas.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that his country is prepared to extend its operation against Hamas.
Israeli military spokesman Joshua Hantman told the BBC that about one million Israelis across the country were now under fire from the militants. Israeli Defence Ministry spokesman Joshua Hantman told the BBC that about one million Israelis across the country were now under fire from the militants.
He added that a ground offensive was "an option if we need to".He added that a ground offensive was "an option if we need to".
Meanwhile, Israeli Transport Minister Israel Katz told the BBC that "if the shooting doesn't stop, Israel will also target [Hamas leader] Ismail Haniyeh".Meanwhile, Israeli Transport Minister Israel Katz told the BBC that "if the shooting doesn't stop, Israel will also target [Hamas leader] Ismail Haniyeh".
Responding to Wednesday's strike, Hamas warned that the killing of 52-year-old Jabari would "open the gates of hell" for Israel.Responding to Wednesday's strike, Hamas warned that the killing of 52-year-old Jabari would "open the gates of hell" for Israel.
In Gaza City, large crowds gathered for his funeral, vowing revenge attacks.In Gaza City, large crowds gathered for his funeral, vowing revenge attacks.
Among those killed in the Israeli air strikes in the last two days was the 11-month-old son of a BBC Arabic Service cameraman in Gaza City. The child, Omar, died in hospital of severe burns, while his brother and uncle remain critically injured.Among those killed in the Israeli air strikes in the last two days was the 11-month-old son of a BBC Arabic Service cameraman in Gaza City. The child, Omar, died in hospital of severe burns, while his brother and uncle remain critically injured.
CondemnationCondemnation
An emergency closed session of the UN Security Council was held at the request of Egypt late on Wednesday to discuss the situation.An emergency closed session of the UN Security Council was held at the request of Egypt late on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, told the meeting that Israel was "vulgarly and publicly boasting about its wilful killing of Palestinians".The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, told the meeting that Israel was "vulgarly and publicly boasting about its wilful killing of Palestinians".
US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice defended Israel's actions.US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice defended Israel's actions.
"There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organisations are employing against the people of Israel," Mrs Rice told the session."There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organisations are employing against the people of Israel," Mrs Rice told the session.
In other diplomatic reaction:In other diplomatic reaction:
  • US President Barack Obama spoke to Mr Netanyahu by telephone on Wednesday evening, with both men agreeing that Hamas needed to halt its attacks on Israel to allow the situation to de-escalate, the White House said.
  • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to Mr Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi, expressing concern at the "deteriorating situation"
  • Arab League foreign ministers say they will meet in emergency session on Friday to discuss the escalating violence
  • Egyptian President Mursi also spoke to President Obama and agreed on the importance of working to calm the situation as quickly as possible, the White House said.
  • US President Barack Obama spoke to Mr Netanyahu by telephone on Wednesday evening, with both men agreeing that Hamas needed to halt its attacks on Israel to allow the situation to de-escalate, the White House said.
  • UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to Mr Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi, expressing concern at the "deteriorating situation"
  • Arab League foreign ministers say they will meet in emergency session on Friday to discuss the escalating violence
  • Egyptian President Mursi also spoke to President Obama and agreed on the importance of working to calm the situation as quickly as possible, the White House said.
Neighbouring Egypt condemned the strikes, recalled its ambassador to Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador in Cairo as well as calling for UN and Arab League meetings.Neighbouring Egypt condemned the strikes, recalled its ambassador to Israel, summoned the Israeli ambassador in Cairo as well as calling for UN and Arab League meetings.
The BBC's Kevin Connolly, in Cairo, says Egypt's reaction to events in Gaza will be followed closely.The BBC's Kevin Connolly, in Cairo, says Egypt's reaction to events in Gaza will be followed closely.
Are you in the region? Please share your experiences about what has happened using the form below. If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist, please include your contact telephone number.Are you in the region? Please share your experiences about what has happened using the form below. If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist, please include your contact telephone number.