Palestinians and Israel exchange fires

Source: CCTV.com | 11-16-2006 18:48

Palestinian rocket attacks on the southern Israeli town of Sderot have killed one person and wounded two. Later, Israeli troops took their revenge, killing one Palestinian man early on Thursday.

A homemade rocket hit Sderot, exploding about 150 meters away from the home of Israeli Defense Minister, Amir Peretz. It killed a 57-year-old woman and seriously wounded a 24-year-old man.

Israel promised a severe response to the rocket attacks, even as Palestinian leaders and international envoys pursued diplomatic efforts to restart the stalled peace process.

Amir said, “We are obliged to act against terror wherever we find it, and in any way we need to against the leaders, against the planners, against those who are committing acts of terror and sending other people to do it.”

Palestinian militants affiliated with both Hamas and Islamic Jihad have claimed responsibility for the attack.

They said the rocket fire was meant to avenge the deaths of 19 civilians killed last week when the Israelis fired on the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun.

A Hamas spokesman blamed Israel and the US for the latest rocket attacks, saying it had been triggered by previous strikes on Palestinians.

Hamas spokesman said, “What happened today is due to the American support of the Israeli government. Because all the time, the Israeli occupation wants to kill more and more Palestinian people.”