Israeli fighter-jets have been patrolling the air space over the Gaza
Strip and dropped leaflets around major cities. The leaflets warned that the
military would invade the Gaza Strip unless Palestinians ended their missile
strikes on the Jewish state.
At the same time, Israeli main battle tanks and armored vehicles
increased patrols along the border with the northern Gaza Strip. Palestinian
sources said Israeli forces fired toward Palestinians who approached the
border north of Beit Hanoun. Nobody was reported injured.
The warning came amid intensified Palestinian missile strikes from the
northern Gaza Strip on the eve of Israel's independence day. At least five
Israelis were injured over the weekend in Palestinian missile salvos on the
southern city of Sderot, home to Defense Minister Amir Peretz.
The Israeli leaflets warned of an invasion of the Gaza Strip on
Wednesday unless Palestinian missile strikes end. But Palestinian militias
have vowed to increase attacks, particularly against Ashkelon, the largest
city in the area and about 10 kilometers north of the Gaza Strip.
On Tuesday, the ruling Hamas movement reported missile and mortar
attacks on Israel. The Israeli military said six missiles were fired from
the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, but nobody was injured. The military was not
reported to have retaliated.
