/ 7 February 2009

Israeli aircraft strike in Gaza after rocket fire

Israeli aircraft fired several missiles in the Gaza Strip on Friday after two rockets fired from the Hamas-controlled territory landed in Israel, none of the attacks causing any injuries.

Residents in Gaza said the Israeli attacks targeted ”open areas” near the southern town of Rafah and smuggling tunnels along the border with Egypt.

An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed the air strikes but gave no further details.

Earlier, two rockets fired from northern Gaza landed in Israel, the Israeli military said.

Israel and Hamas declared separate ceasefires on January 18, ending a 22-day Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israel said its campaign, which left about 1 300 Palestinians dead, was aimed at stopping cross-border rocket fire. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians were killed in the Gaza campaign.

Israel often targets the tunnels under the Gaza Strip’s border with Egypt, which it says are used by Hamas to smuggle in weapons. — Reuters