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Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza Israel hits Hamas targets in Gaza
(19 minutes later)
Israeli air strikes have hit government buildings in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip killing a six-month-old baby, Palestinian medics have said.Israeli air strikes have hit government buildings in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip killing a six-month-old baby, Palestinian medics have said.
The strikes were the latest in a day of violence that saw the first Israeli death in nine months from a Palestinian rocket attack launched from Gaza.The strikes were the latest in a day of violence that saw the first Israeli death in nine months from a Palestinian rocket attack launched from Gaza.
The Hamas militant group says it fired at least 20 rockets, including eight at the town of Sderot, a frequent target.The Hamas militant group says it fired at least 20 rockets, including eight at the town of Sderot, a frequent target.
Earlier, an Israeli air strike killed five Hamas militants in southern Gaza.Earlier, an Israeli air strike killed five Hamas militants in southern Gaza.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the Palestinian rocket attacks "need to stop".US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that the Palestinian rocket attacks "need to stop".
"We are all sorry about the death of the Israeli university student" [in Sderot], she said, after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Tokyo."We are all sorry about the death of the Israeli university student" [in Sderot], she said, after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in Tokyo.
She added: "I am concerned about the humanitarian conditions thereand innocent people in Gaza who are being hurt."
Ms Rice will visit the Middle East next week for several days of talks with Mr Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.Ms Rice will visit the Middle East next week for several days of talks with Mr Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
'Mass hysteria''Mass hysteria'
Palestinian witnesses said the Hamas-run Interior Ministry building was hit on Wednesday evening, although it was empty at the time.Palestinian witnesses said the Hamas-run Interior Ministry building was hit on Wednesday evening, although it was empty at the time.
There was mass hysteria in the college ¿ people were shouting, screaming, crying Student Orel DavidThere was mass hysteria in the college ¿ people were shouting, screaming, crying Student Orel David
Nearby buildings were damaged in the blast, killing a baby and wounding at least six other people, Palestinian medical officials said.Nearby buildings were damaged in the blast, killing a baby and wounding at least six other people, Palestinian medical officials said.
Although the Israeli casualty is the first from Palestinian rocket fire in nine months, four other Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinian militants in the last three months.Although the Israeli casualty is the first from Palestinian rocket fire in nine months, four other Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinian militants in the last three months.
In that time, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, most of them militants.In that time, more than 200 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, most of them militants.
Israeli media said the rocket exploded in a car park at Sapir College and a student, 30, was hit in the heart by shrapnel.Israeli media said the rocket exploded in a car park at Sapir College and a student, 30, was hit in the heart by shrapnel.
"I saw the man with his chest gaping open and he was being tended by medics. When another alarm went off there was mass hysteria in the college - people were shouting, screaming, crying," said psychology student Orel David."I saw the man with his chest gaping open and he was being tended by medics. When another alarm went off there was mass hysteria in the college - people were shouting, screaming, crying," said psychology student Orel David.
A second man at the college received wounds to his legs.A second man at the college received wounds to his legs.
Rice visitRice visit
Hamas officials said the five dead in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, included a senior engineer who built rockets and a commander who led a rocket squad.Hamas officials said the five dead in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, included a senior engineer who built rockets and a commander who led a rocket squad.
Gaza's rocket threatGaza's rocket threat
Other Israeli strikes killed at least two other Palestinian civilians, bringing the day's Palestinian death toll to at least eight people, most of them militants.Other Israeli strikes killed at least two other Palestinian civilians, bringing the day's Palestinian death toll to at least eight people, most of them militants.
Israel carries out frequent military action in the coastal strip in an effort to curb near-daily rocket and mortar fire against southern Israel.Israel carries out frequent military action in the coastal strip in an effort to curb near-daily rocket and mortar fire against southern Israel.
The latest violence comes a day after two senior UN envoys told the Security Council that no progress had been made towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement since the launch of US-sponsored peace talks.The latest violence comes a day after two senior UN envoys told the Security Council that no progress had been made towards an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement since the launch of US-sponsored peace talks.
The Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged late last year to conclude a peace deal before US President George W Bush leaves office in January 2009.The Israeli and Palestinian leaders pledged late last year to conclude a peace deal before US President George W Bush leaves office in January 2009.