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Israel has threatened another 'disproportionate' war against the Gaza Strip after failing to achieve its objectives during a 23-day onslaught.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday that the military will harshly respond to rocket attacks which struck the western Negev earlier in the day.
"We will act according to new rules that will guarantee that we are not dragged into an incessant tit-for-tat war that will not allow normal life in the south of the country," said Olmert.
The premier was referring to two rockets that were launched from the Hamas-held territory early in the morning. One of the rockets landed in the Sdot Negev Regional Council while the other hit the Eshkol Regional Council.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah - Hamas' rival faction - claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks, The Jerusalem Post reported.
"We've said that if there is rocket fire against the south of the country, there will be a severe and disproportionate Israeli response," said the premier. "The response will come at the time, the place and the manner that we choose."
Tel Aviv launched the 23-day onslaught in the densely-populated strip on December 27 with the intention of ending rocket attacks on the Israeli towns. However, Israel enforced a unilateral ceasefire on the war while repeatedly threatening to resume the attacks on the region.
Tel Aviv eventually broke the fragile ceasefire last week, launching several airstrikes on the region to retaliate the death of an Israeli soldier killed in a bomb blast at the Kissufim crossing.
The three-week-long deadly offensive left at least 1,330 Palestinians dead and more than 5,400 others wounded. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, were also killed in the fighting.
The premier was referring to two rockets that were launched from the Hamas-held territory early in the morning. One of the rockets landed in the Sdot Negev Regional Council while the other hit the Eshkol Regional Council.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah - Hamas' rival faction - claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks, The Jerusalem Post reported.
"We've said that if there is rocket fire against the south of the country, there will be a severe and disproportionate Israeli response," said the premier. "The response will come at the time, the place and the manner that we choose."
Tel Aviv launched the 23-day onslaught in the densely-populated strip on December 27 with the intention of ending rocket attacks on the Israeli towns. However, Israel enforced a unilateral ceasefire on the war while repeatedly threatening to resume the attacks on the region.
Tel Aviv eventually broke the fragile ceasefire last week, launching several airstrikes on the region to retaliate the death of an Israeli soldier killed in a bomb blast at the Kissufim crossing.
The three-week-long deadly offensive left at least 1,330 Palestinians dead and more than 5,400 others wounded. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, were also killed in the fighting.
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