Fighting Continues In Gaza And Southern Israel

Thursday March 24, 2011 00:31 by David Steele - 1 of International Middle East Media Center Editorial Group

Fighting between groups in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli army has continued today.

Two "Grad" rockets were fired at the city of Be'er Sheva, and a number of mortars were launched into the western Negev from Gaza. A total of one minor injury and modest damage have been reported from the incident. The group Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for the attacks. In a statement, Islamic Jihad claimed that the rockets had been launched "in retaliation for the ongoing Israeli aggression."

The Israeli air force and army have both attacked the Gaza strip in response. One man, allegedly a member of Islamic Jihad's military wing, was injured in the attacks.

The attack is the latest in an escalating round of violence. Earlier, the Hamas-led government in Gaza, and the Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas movement, stated that they would commit to a truce should Israel halt its assaults on Gaza. Given the present violence, this prospect is rapidly fading.

On Tuesday, a wave of Israeli military escalation targeting the Gaza Strip led to the deaths of nine Palestinians, including three children. At least 38 Palestinians, including six women and fifteen children, were injured in a number of Israeli attacks targeting the Gaza Strip in the last 4 days. Israeli politicians are said to be considering a further escalation, perhaps resulting in a 'Cast Lead 2'.

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