Israel hit by rocket volley

Southern Israel has been hit by rockets and mortars fired by Gaza militants ahead of a convoy of humanitarian aid that was to be sent to the area.

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Gaza militants fired yet another volley of rockets at southern Israel today just hours before a convoy of humanitarian aid was to be sent to the besieged Palestinian enclave, the Israeli army said. Five rockets and two mortar rounds were fired before dawn, but caused no casualties, a military spokesman said. One mortar round landed on a house which was unoccupied at the time, near the Kerem Shalom border crossing, causing damage to the property, local residents said.

Violence in and around Gaza flared up after a six-month ceasefire ended on December 19, and escalated dramatically on Wednesday. The foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, vowed yesterday, that Israel would strike back at the Hamas rulers of the Palestinian territory. But the defence minister, Ehud Barak, also said the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip would open today to allow the delivery of vital humanitarian aide.

*AFP