This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7817135.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon
(about 1 hour later)
Rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon, raising fears the Israeli offensive in Gaza may spread. At least three rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon, raising fears the Israeli offensive against militants in Gaza may spread.
Israel's army responded with artillery to a barrage of at least three rockets. No group has claimed responsibility. Israel replied with artillery, but called the attack an "isolated event".
Israeli media later reported a second rocket attack, but an army spokesman said this was a false alarm. The incident followed Israel's heaviest bombardment so far on Gaza, with 60 air strikes targeting Hamas facilities.
The exchanges came as Israel launched 60 air strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight, targeting facilities used by the militant Hamas group. Efforts have continued to broker a ceasefire, as a senior Israeli official travelled to Cairo to hear details of a plan put forward by Egypt and France.
A Hamas delegation is expected in the Egyptian capital at some stage for parallel "technical" talks, Egyptian diplomats said.
Correspondents say this is a dangerous moment in the current conflict.Correspondents say this is a dangerous moment in the current conflict.
The rocket attacks from Lebanon have raised concerns about a wider war, says the BBC's Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen. The rocket attacks from Lebanon have raised concerns about a wider war in the region, says the BBC's Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen.
It is is not clear if the rockets were fired by Hezbollah or by one of the armed Palestinian groups that operate in Lebanon. But the Lebanese government was swift to condemn the attack, and speculation that militant group Hezbollah was behind the attacks was played down in Israel.
If Hezbollah mounted the attack there is a grave risk of a very strong Israeli reaction, our correspondent says.
The Palestinians in Lebanon do not have the capacity to fight a war with Israel, but Hezbollah does.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to secure a truce in Gaza continue, with a senior Israeli official due to travel to Cairo to hear details of a ceasefire plan drawn up by Egypt and France.
A Hamas delegation is expected in the Egyptian capital at some stage for parallel "technical" talks, Egyptian diplomats said. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas is due to arrive on Friday.
Schools closedSchools closed
At least three Katyusha rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel early on Thursday. At least three Katyusha rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into the northern Israeli area of Nahariya early on Thursday.
One rocket hit the Nahariya area, north of the city of Haifa. One of the rockets hit a nursing home were some 25 elderly residents were eating breakfast in a nearby dining hall, the Jerusalem Post reports.
At least two people were slightly wounded and a number of others were suffering from shock, Israeli officials said.At least two people were slightly wounded and a number of others were suffering from shock, Israeli officials said.
Language of HamasGaza offensive - in mapsPoints of view on GazaIn pictures: Conflict continuesLanguage of HamasGaza offensive - in mapsPoints of view on GazaIn pictures: Conflict continues
Israel immediately responded with five artillery shells into Lebanon, calling it a "pinpoint response at the source of fire".Israel immediately responded with five artillery shells into Lebanon, calling it a "pinpoint response at the source of fire".
An army spokesman described it as an "isolated event".
Shortly afterwards, reports came in of a further rocket attack from Lebanon, although the army later called this a false alarm.Shortly afterwards, reports came in of a further rocket attack from Lebanon, although the army later called this a false alarm.
Schools have been closed and residents told to stay indoors, local officials said.
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora condemned the attack and called for the army and the UN to investigate.Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora condemned the attack and called for the army and the UN to investigate.
Information Minister Tarek Mitri told the AFP news agency he had been "assured" by Hezbollah they were not involved in the rocket attacks.Information Minister Tarek Mitri told the AFP news agency he had been "assured" by Hezbollah they were not involved in the rocket attacks.
The latest attacks come a day after the leader of Hezbollah, a strong ally of Hamas, spoke openly about the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel. Israeli cabinet minister Raif Eitan said he believed Palestinians in Lebanon, not Hezbollah, were behind the attack.
Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah had already put its fighters on high alert along the Lebanese-Israeli border. On Wednesday, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke openly about the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel, saying its fighters were on high alert along the Lebanese-Israeli border.
Northern Israel came under attack from rockets fired by Hezbollah during the brief war with Lebanon in the summer of 2006.Northern Israel came under attack from rockets fired by Hezbollah during the brief war with Lebanon in the summer of 2006.
In 2007, Palestinian militant groups fired rockets from Lebanon into Israel.
Air attacksAir attacks
In Gaza, Israel continued its offensive overnight with 60 airstrikes targeting police sites, 10 Hamas tunnels, weapons storage facilities, launching pads "and a number of armed gunmen", the Israeli army said.In Gaza, Israel continued its offensive overnight with 60 airstrikes targeting police sites, 10 Hamas tunnels, weapons storage facilities, launching pads "and a number of armed gunmen", the Israeli army said.
Naval and artillery units "continued to support the ground forces" with one soldier lightly wounded, the army added.Naval and artillery units "continued to support the ground forces" with one soldier lightly wounded, the army added.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
Shopping for 'basic needs' in Gaza marketShopping for 'basic needs' in Gaza market
Palestinian sources say an air attack destroyed a mosque in Gaza City but there has been no independent confirmation of this.
Unconfirmed reports also spoke of a tank advance with helicopter support towards Khan Younis, also in the south, shortly after midnight.
The bombardment followed a three-hour pause in fighting on Wednesday to allow vital humanitarian aid into Gaza.The bombardment followed a three-hour pause in fighting on Wednesday to allow vital humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Aid agencies report that Gazans rushed into the streets to buy essential supplies and visit relatives in hospital during the lull.Aid agencies report that Gazans rushed into the streets to buy essential supplies and visit relatives in hospital during the lull.
UN aid workers welcomed Israel's promise of brief daily ceasefires but said only a total end to fighting would allow them to distribute aid to those who need it.UN aid workers welcomed Israel's promise of brief daily ceasefires but said only a total end to fighting would allow them to distribute aid to those who need it.
Israel said on Wednesday it accepted the principles of a Franco-Egyptian truce proposal, which was backed by Washington, but wanted to see the details.
The UN Security Council seemed deadlocked over the crisis.
Arab countries want the Council to vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire while Britain, France and the US are pushing for a weaker statement welcoming the Franco-Egyptian initiative.
The US could well veto any vote as it is a permanent member of the Security Council, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports.
About 700 Palestinian and 11 Israeli lives are said to have been lost since the offensive began 12 days ago.About 700 Palestinian and 11 Israeli lives are said to have been lost since the offensive began 12 days ago.
Casualty claims in Gaza cannot be independently verified.Casualty claims in Gaza cannot be independently verified.
While the BBC has had Palestinian producers reporting from Gaza, Israel only allowed Western TV crews to enter on Wednesday, embedded with its army.While the BBC has had Palestinian producers reporting from Gaza, Israel only allowed Western TV crews to enter on Wednesday, embedded with its army.
Are you in Israel? What is your reaction to the rockets fired from Lebanon? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Israel? What is your reaction to the rockets fired from Lebanon? Send us your comments using the form below.
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
Name
 Name