Jerusalem: Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip bombarded southern Israel with mortars and rockets burdening diplomatic efforts to revive a truce that expired over the weekend.
Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza, said the bombardment came in retaliation for the deaths of three of its fighters in a clash with Israeli troops yesterday. Israel said the militants were planting explosives in northern Gaza along the border fence.
The Israeli military said 10 mortars and three rockets were fired at southern Israel yesterday and early today. No injuries were reported from the barrages, which militants said were carried out by Hamas and two smaller factions.
Before the violence resumed, Israel had agreed to crack open cargo crossings with Gaza today to allow in a limited amount of food, medicines and fuel from Egypt. But military spokesman Peter Lerner said the passages would remain closed in light of the militant barrages.
Israel has maintained a strict blockade of Gaza since the cease-fire began unravelling six weeks ago, allowing in only small quantities of essential goods. Egypt has similarly sealed its border crossing with the territory.
The sanctions have deepened the destitution in Gaza, home to 1.4 million Palestinians who are confined to the tiny coastal strip. Gazans have worked around the choking off of supplies by bringing in goods through tunnels dug under the Gaza-Egypt border.
So far the number of rockets and retaliatory Israeli air strikes has not approached the pre-truce level, feeding hopes that the cease-fire can be resumed. Both sides have expressed willingness to consider reviving it.
