Israeli aircraft carry out overnight strikes on Gaza

Source: Xinhua | 01-28-2009 16:51

GAZA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli F16 warplanes carried out early on Wednesday three successive airstrikes on the border line between southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and Egypt, no injures reported, residents said.

Witnesses said that Israeli F16 war fighters fired three air-to-ground missiles within a short period of time on the border area between the town and Egypt, causing damages to several houses in the area.

An Israeli army spokesman said in a statement that the airstrike was a response to a bombing attack carried out by Gaza militants early on Tuesday, in which one Israeli soldier was killed and three wounded.

The residents of Rafah said Israeli warplanes targeted the tunnels dug under Gaza-Egypt's borders with three heavy missiles. Israel insists that these tunnels are used for weapons smuggling.

The renewal of violence between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza came after one week ceasefire has been unilaterally declared first by Israel and then followed by Gaza militant groups, led by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).