Gaza City: A Hamas fighter was killed in an Israeli air raid today after militants pounded Israel with rocket and mortar fire in an escalation of violence that is dimming hopes of a renewed ceasefire.

Israel warned it would strike back if it continued to be hit by militant fire from the impoverished Palestinian enclave.

Gunmen launched more than 70 projectiles, the largest barrage since before an Egyptian-brokered truce went into effect in and around the besieged territory in June but expired five days ago.

Hamas vowed to step up attacks if Israel responded with strikes against Gaza, which has been under an increasingly tight Israeli blockade since the Islamists violently seized power in June 2007.

"(Israel) should know that any decision to attack the Gaza Strip will open the gates of hell and we will make you regret your stupidity with tears of blood," the group's armed wing the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

"Israel's stupidity will push us to expand (operations) and put in our line of fire thousands of new Zionists to defend the Palestinian people."

Israel in turn warned that it would strike back, although analysts said it was likely to be wary of major action ahead of a February election.

"Our position is clear we will answer quiet with quiet," government spokesman Mark Regev told AFP. "But we will answer terrorist attacks with actions to protect our people."

President Shimon Peres, on a visit to the town of Sderot which has borne the brunt of rocket attacks, said Israel s response must be "measured, responsible and efficient."

Source : PTI