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Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon
(about 1 hour later)
At least three rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon, raising fears that the current Israeli offensive in Gaza may spill over. Rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon, raising fears the Israeli offensive in Gaza may spread.
Israel's army responded with artillery. It is not clear who fired the rockets, and no-one has yet said they did it. Israel's army responded with artillery to a first barrage of at least three rockets. Israeli media later reported a second rocket attack.
The exchange came as Israel reportedly launched 60 air strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight, targeting facilities used by the militant Hamas group. The exchanges came as Israel launched 60 air strikes on the Gaza Strip overnight, targeting facilities used by the militant Hamas group.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the rocket fire from Lebanon.
Correspondents say this is a dangerous moment in the current conflict.Correspondents say this is a dangerous moment in the current conflict.
The fear in the past few days has been that the violence in Gaza could spread to northern Israel and the Lebanese border area, says the BBC's Mike Sergeant in Jerusalem.Advertisement Advertisement
Mobile phone footage of damage caused by a rocket fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.Mobile phone footage of damage caused by a rocket fired from Lebanon into northern Israel.
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. The rocket attacks from Lebanon have raised concerns about a wider war, 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.
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.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, with some reports putting the number of rocket attacks at five. At least three Katyusha rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into northern Israel early on Thursday, with some reports putting the number of rocket attacks at five.
One rocket hit the Nahariya area, north of the city of Haifa.One rocket hit the Nahariya area, north of the city of Haifa.
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
Reports were coming in of further rocket attacks from Lebanon, but there were no further details.
Schools have been closed and residents told to stay indoors, local officials said.Schools have been closed and residents told to stay indoors, local officials said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks. Israel said it had responded to the first attacks with a "pinpoint response at the source of fire".
Israeli media are citing unnamed military sources as saying Palestinian groups are most likely to be behind the latest attacks.
But the Lebanese factions of the two main Palestinian groups, Fatah and Hamas, denied responsibility.
Israel said it had responded to the attacks with a "pinpoint response at the source of fire".
Reports from inside Lebanon said five Israeli mortar shells fell near the border inside Lebanon, but there were no injuries.Reports from inside Lebanon said five Israeli mortar shells fell near the border inside Lebanon, but there were no injuries.
The latest attacks come a day after the leader of militant group Hezbollah, a strong ally of Hamas, spoke openly about the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel.The latest attacks come a day after the leader of militant group Hezbollah, a strong ally of Hamas, spoke openly about the possibility of a renewed conflict with Israel.
Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah had already put its fighters on high alert along the Lebanese-Israeli border.Hassan Nasrallah said Hezbollah had already put its fighters 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.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.
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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.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.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.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.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.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.The US could well veto any vote as it is a permanent member of the Security Council, the BBC's Laura Trevelyan reports.
Nearly 700 Palestinian and 11 Israeli lives are said to have been lost since the offensive began 12 days ago.Nearly 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.
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