Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has warned Palestinian militants
that Israel will respond with force if attacks from the Gaza Strip
persist in violation of a recent truce.
Mr. Olmert Tuesday said
Israel's restraint thus far against the rocket attacks should not be
interpreted as weakness. He said if the calm is not maintained, Israel
could retaliate with "full force."
Earlier Tuesday, Israel again
closed its border with the Gaza Strip after accusing Palestinian
militants of firing another rocket into southern Israel on Monday.
Gaza's
Hamas rulers denied any rockets had been launched on Monday from the
territory. No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket, which
did not cause damage or casualties.
Separately Tuesday,
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud
Barak expressed support for reaching a lasting peace deal in the region
soon.
The two leaders made the comments after meeting on the
sidelines of a meeting in Greece of representatives of the world's
socialist parties (Socialist International).
Palestinian
militants have fired several rockets from Gaza into Israeli territory
despite the Egyptian-brokered truce that took effect June 19 between
Hamas and Israel.
Egypt Tuesday opened its Rafah border crossing
with Gaza to allow for the limited passage of Palestinians stranded in
Egypt and others seeking medical treatment abroad.
Two small
Gaza factions said they launched last week's rockets to protest Israeli
military raids in the West Bank, which is not covered by the
cease-fire. Hamas has warned that it will take action against anyone
violating the truce.
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