Israel's prime minister has brushed aside calls for an immediate large-scale operation in Gaza in response to an escalation of cross-border rocket fire.
Ehud Olmert suggested a measured approach, underscoring the difficult choices facing the government in the run-up to the Israeli election, due to be held on 10 February.
‘A government doesn't rush to battle,’ he told the cabinet today, adding that ‘Israel will know how to give the proper response at the right time in the right way, responsibly.’
Palestinian militants have fired more than 50 rockets and mortar shells at Israel since a six-month-old ceasefire with Hamas ended on Friday.
A rocket fired hit a house in southern Israel this morning.
No one was injured in the rocket attack in the town of Sderot, about 2km from the Gaza border.
Rescue workers said a man was injured in a nearby community by a mortar in the field where he was working.
An Israeli air strike air strike destroyed a rocket launcher in northern Gaza early today.
An Israeli military spokesman said at least 49 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza at Israel since the Hamas truce ended on Friday.
The Islamic Jihad militant group has claimed responsibility for most of the rocket fire.
