Palestinian rocket hits Israeli city
Posted
A rocket fired by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip has struck the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon, causing damage but no injuries.
The rare attack on the southern city, which is likely to elicit a military response from Israel, came after months of relative quiet following Israel's launch of a three-week military campaign in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in late 2008.
Ashkelon mayor Benny Vaknin says the city takes the attack seriously.
"No doubt this is the most serious event that happened since operation Cast Lead," he told Israel Radio, referring to the devastating Israeli incursion.
A police spokesman says the rocket landed in a residential area and had a longer range and heavier payload than most rockets coming out of Gaza.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement from his office: "Israel takes the firing on Ashkelon very seriously".
The attack on Ashkelon, located about 12 kilometres up the coast from Gaza with some 125,000 residents, comes a day after the Arab League had given a green light for Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to engage in direct peace talks with Israel.
Hamas, which opposes a peace treaty with Israel, say it rejects the Arab League's decision.
One Hamas official says it is a "political sin".
Mr Abbas has been negotiating with Mr Netanyahu indirectly for two months through United States mediation and has been facing US pressure to upgrade to face-to-face talks, which he has so far refused.
- Reuters
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