Israel to continue targeted strikes on Gaza despite truce
30/01/2009 14:01 TEL-AVIV, January 30 (RIA Novosti) - Israeli troops will continue pinpoint strikes on militant groups and their infrastructure in Gaza despite truce, the Haaretz newspaper said on Friday.
The Security Cabinet and top Israeli defense officials agreed to continue targeted strikes against Hamas during consultations to discuss intensified rocket shelling and attacks on Israeli military.
Ten Palestinians were injured on Thursday in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Hamas operative in southern Gaza. Palestinian militants launched two Qassam rockets and a mortar round into Israel in response, which caused no casualties or damage.
Israel blames Hamas militants for violating the January 18 ceasefire, although Haaretz said its activists were not involved in the recent attacks.
"Hamas is trying to contain its radical elements because it was interested in cementing a ceasefire agreement," the newspaper said, citing intelligence sources.
On Tuesday, one Israeli soldier was killed and three injured in a Palestinian bomb attack. Israeli aviation struck in response, killing one suspected terrorist and injuring another. It also struck tunnels used for smuggling goods on border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and a suspected weapons facility in the Hamas-controlled enclave.
The ceasefire ended Israel's recent Operation Cast Lead that killed some 1,300 Palestinians in Gaza. Up to 50,000 people were also left homeless in the enclave of 1.5 million. Israel's casualties in the three-week conflict were 13, including 10 military personnel.
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