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Israel-Gaza Violence Escalates, 4 Palestinians Killed

Smoke trails of rocket fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza Strip towards Israel, October 24, 2012.

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Robert Berger

October 24, 2012

JERUSALEM — Violence has flared on the Israeli border with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, leaving at least four Palestinians dead and several people in Israel and Gaza wounded.

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted several rockets fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza. But dozens of other rockets and mortar shells crashed into Israel hitting a number of houses.

Map of Gaza with border crossings

Eli Nitzan’s house took a direct hit at a farming community in southern Israel.

“There was a loud explosion like I have never heard before and I have heard a lot of explosions,” Nitzan told Israel Radio. “Fortunately the shrapnel flew over our heads, otherwise I would be dead.”

Israel is blaming Iran and the Islamic militant group Hamas that rules Gaza for the attacks.

“Iran is supporting terror attacks now against us in Gaza," said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We will fight and we will hit them very, very hard, very hard. The way to fight terror is to fight terror, and that we shall do with great force.”

Hamas says Israel started the violence with air strikes targeting Palestinian fighters.

Hamas spokesman Taher al Nunu said Netanyahu is trying to show the Israeli public that he is tough on the Palestinians ahead of elections in January. But al Nunu said the Palestinians are fighting back and will not be pawns in the Israeli election campaign.

Israel launched a three-week air and ground assault on Gaza nearly four years ago to stop Palestinian rocket fire.

Asked if Israel would need another ground operation, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said, “We will do whatever is necessary to stop this wave” of violence.

An Israeli police man holds the remains of a rocket fired by Palestinian militants after it hit a community along the Israel - Gaza Border, southern Israel, October 24, 2012.
Trails of smoke are seen after the launch of rockets from the northern Gaza strip towards Israel, October 24, 2012.
The mother of a Hamas militant mourns during his funeral in the northern Gaza Strip, October 24, 2012.
Palestinian relatives carry the body of a Hamas militant killed in an Israeli airstrike during his funeral in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip,October 24, 2012.
An Israeli police explosives expert reaches for the remains of a rocket, fired by Palestinian militants in Gaza, after it landed in Israel, October 24, 2012.
An Israeli man enters a damaged house after a rocket fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza Strip hit a community in southern Israel, October 24, 2012.
An Israeli tank patrols outside the border with the northern Gaza Strip, October 24, 2012.

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by: Poster Atat

October 24, 2012 10:26 AM

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Once again, the headlines list Israel first, making it look as if the Israelis attacked first.

Years ago, when Jews were murdered in the streets, the media would write, 'a Jewish soldier was in the crowd' as if that justified it.

I would reply, that's a double edged sword, once you argue that it can be OK to kill innocent Jews, that permission will be used by Arabs to kill other Arabs.

Since then, the whole region has boiled over, young girls are murdered just for being raped.

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by: stu from: hastings uk

October 24, 2012 2:16 PM

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Cease the Zionist project, respect others and the 1948 green line all hostility would end. We in the west are sick of bleating Israel you have brought this on yourself. You are no more important than others in the world. A nasty teenage nation throwing its weight around and relying on another teenage nation for back up (USA) pussy

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