Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak issued Tuesday a new warning to factions in Gaza, amid a decline of violence after clashes in recent days. "The Hamas and other terrorist organizations are affected by (our) intense attacks in Gaza, but it is certainly not over and we will decide how and when to act if necessary, "he said after a meeting with military leaders in the south.
A rocket was fired Tuesday morning from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries, said a military spokesman said without giving further details. According to Israeli media, it was a Grad missile, which fell close to the port of Ashdod, south of Tel Aviv. Israeli warplanes carried out three raids against targets in the Gaza Strip on the night between Monday and Tuesday causing no injuries, according to a Palestinian security source and witnesses.
Since Saturday, seven Palestinians - four civilians and three fighters - according to local medical sources were killed, and some 35 injured. The seventh Palestinian victim was a member of the armed wing of Hamas, who died Tuesday from his injuries.
A total of 15 rockets were fired Monday into southern Israel and four others were intercepted, according to an Israeli military spokesman. A total of 123 rockets have been fired since the beginning of the confrontation Saturday, according to the same source. The main Palestinian factions in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, said last night they were ready to restore a truce on condition that Israel "ceases its aggression" against the country .
