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04/03/2006:

"Shells, rockets and leaflets are ammunition in Gaza battle"

Israeli artillery fired about 150 shells into the Gaza strip over the weekend, some from gunboats for the first time, in the largest barrage against the territory since the withdrawal of Jewish settlers and the army in September. The military said the assault, aimed principally at open land, was in response to the continued firing of rudimentary rockets from Gaza by Palestinian factions.

The air force also hit a number of buildings in northern Gaza which it said sheltered rocket launchers. They included a casino complex under construction and partly owned by Israelis.

The assault did not stop Palestinian factions from launching at least six rockets into Israel but neither they nor the army's barrage caused casualties.

The air force also dropped leaflets over Gaza city that read: "Where are the terror organisations leading you? How much longer are you going to allow terrorists to control your lives and your future? The military response will worsen as long as the firing continues."
guardian.co.uk


Haaretz: Army, navy pound Gaza launch sites in massive assault