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Israel Pounds Gaza Targets

Attacks follow militant fire in heaviest exchange since truce

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Feb 2, 2009 3:40 AM CST

(Newser) – Israeli aircraft pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip late last night after militants there unleashed 10 rounds of rocket and mortar fire on Israel. It's the region's heaviest exchange since a ceasefire began two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times reports. Six explosions rocked Rafah, a border town near Egypt where Hamas uses tunnels to smuggle weapons.

Hundreds evacuated the border area after Israel gave Rafah residents a three-hour warning via cell phones to flee weapons sites. No injuries have been reported. The attacks came as Cairo reported progress in its efforts to broker a lasting regional ceasefire. Israel's prime minister has warned of a "disproportionate" response to yesterday's attacks, for which smaller Palestinian groups—and not Hamas—have claimed responsibility.

A Palestinian man prays inside a damaged mosque in the northern Gaza Strip. Gaza militants launched rockets and several mortar shells into southern Israel yesterday.
A Palestinian man prays inside a damaged mosque in the northern Gaza Strip. Gaza militants launched rockets and several mortar shells into southern Israel yesterday.   (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Palestinians stand on the rubble of tunnels in Rafah.
Palestinians stand on the rubble of tunnels in Rafah.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
A Palestinian inspects a damaged fuel tank after Israeli missiles targeted smuggling tunnels at the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.
A Palestinian inspects a damaged fuel tank after Israeli missiles targeted smuggling tunnels at the border between Egypt and the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
An Egyptian border police officer stands next to recently installed security cameras on a building at the Egyptian side of Rafah.
An Egyptian border police officer stands next to recently installed security cameras on a building at the Egyptian side of Rafah.   (AP Photo/Eyad Baba)
A Palestinian boy leads his donkey as they pass destroyed buildings in the area of east Jebaliya, northern Gaza Strip.
A Palestinian boy leads his donkey as they pass destroyed buildings in the area of east Jebaliya, northern Gaza Strip.   (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
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