By Xinhua,
Gaza : Palestinian militants fired tens of home-made rockets and mortar shells into Israeli targets around Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
The armed factions said the rocket attacks were in response to the killing of seven Palestinians, including a woman and her four children, during an Israeli army operation in northern Gaza Strip Monday.
The armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement, which ruled Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for launching nine Qassam rockets into Sderot city in Western Negev.
Israeli radio reported that 10 rockets and six mortars hit the Western Negev, causing damage to a house in Sderot and a clinic at an Israeli community. A number of people were treated for shock.
The Israeli reports also said that an explosive device was detonated near a tank on northern Gaza Strip fence, causing no injuries.
The Israeli army tanks withdrew last night from Beit Hanoun town in northern Gaza Strip as fighters from Islamic Jihad movement said they have fired 21 rockets into Sderot Monday evening.
The escalation comes as Egypt mediates between Hamas and Israelto reach a ceasefire in the Hamas-ruled Gaza. Representatives of Palestinian factions are heading to Cairo in the day to talk with the Egyptians on their stances regarding the ceasefire. Hamas has already finished its talks with Egypt and is waiting the Israeli responses to the lull offers.