Israel launched more air and missile strikes against targets in the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, following a rocket attack by Palestinian militants. The violence comes as a senior Palestinian militant leader says his group may not continue its participation in a cease-fire between Palestinian groups and Israel.
Israeli forces used air strikes and artillery against Palestinian positions near Beit Hanoun. The strikes followed a missile attack against the Israeli town, Sderout. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade - the armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's ruling Fatah movement.
Meanwhile, Mahmoud Zakar - a senior leader of the militant Palestinian group, Hamas - is warning his organization may pull out of a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian groups, if Palestinian legislative elections are postponed beyond their scheduled date of January 25. Recent polls show Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, could do well in the elections.