"It is clear that Hamas wants to show that it is not sitting quietly," a
military source said.
"The responsibility for this attack rests with Hamas," Israeli Deputy
Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said.
The increase in Palestinian missile attacks came after a Hamas ban
on unauthorized operations against Israel. But the sources said Al
Qaida-aligned militias, including those linked to the Fatah movement, have
increased missile and rocket fire from the northern Gaza Strip.
Fatah has challenged Hamas to join in any insurgency against Israel.
Former Palestinian Authority security chief Mohammed Dahlan, now a member of
Fatah's Central Committee, said Hamas should join a coalition that would
confront Israel in Jerusalem.
"I truly hope that Hamas will surprise us and join a collective battle,
rather than settle for calling on the Palestinians to prepare for an
uprising in the West Bank," Dahlan said.
In 2010, more than 30 missiles were fired from the Gaza Strip into
Israel. The attack that killed the 30-year-old Thai worker was said to have
been the work of the Al Qaida-aligned Ansar Al Sunna, which claimed
responsibility.
The Israel Air Force has responded to the Palestinian strikes by attacks
on suspected Hamas missile arsenals and weapons tunnels in the southern Gaza
Strip. Army units also fired artillery shells toward Gaza City.