Israel hits back after rocket attack

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-04-2008 08:59

The Israeli army has stepped up an offensive in the Gaza Strip, killing at least nine people in a broad series of airstrikes and shelling attacks.

A Palestinian youth carries an injured boy into a  hospital in Khan Yunis after an Israeli military  operation. (AFP/Said Khatib)

This comes after Palestinian militants fired a long-range rocket at an Israeli city.

The Gaza fighting on Thursday began when Israeli forces, backed by ten tanks, raided an area east of Khan Younis.

This sparked exchanges of fire with Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants.

In strikes all over Gaza, Israeli aircraft and tanks hit buildings they say were used by militants, including a weapons storehouse.

Witnesses say at least nine missiles were fired by the Israelis.

Dozens of people, including children, were injured. Residents in some crowded neighborhoods were forced to flee in panic.

For weeks the Israelis have been conducting pinpoint strikes at suspected Gaza militants involved in previous rocket fires targeted at Israel.

Palestinian militants pelt southern Israel with crude rockets every day, causing little damage or casualties while badly disrupting life in towns around Gaza.

Israel's defense ministry routinely says an Israeli invasion of Gaza is nearing. But previous large-scale ground operations have failed to halt the rocket fire while causing heavy casualties and damage.

And the operations usually spark international criticism against Israel.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei