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| Israeli jet targets Gaza tunnels | Israeli jet targets Gaza tunnels |
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| Israeli airstrikes have targeted the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, as part of Israel's response to an attack on one of its frontier patrols on Tuesday. | Israeli airstrikes have targeted the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, as part of Israel's response to an attack on one of its frontier patrols on Tuesday. |
| Residents fled as missiles hit tunnels near the town of Rafah. Israel says militants smuggle arms through them. | Residents fled as missiles hit tunnels near the town of Rafah. Israel says militants smuggle arms through them. |
| The pre-dawn strikes came a day after the patrol was hit by a roadside bomb, killing one soldier and wounding three. | The pre-dawn strikes came a day after the patrol was hit by a roadside bomb, killing one soldier and wounding three. |
| Israel responded immediately by sending troops and tanks into Gaza, but PM Ehud Olmert threatened further strikes. | Israel responded immediately by sending troops and tanks into Gaza, but PM Ehud Olmert threatened further strikes. |
| Mr Olmert said Tuesday's incursion was merely an initial reaction and that Israel's full response was still to come, Haaretz newspaper reported on its website. | Mr Olmert said Tuesday's incursion was merely an initial reaction and that Israel's full response was still to come, Haaretz newspaper reported on its website. |
| It is not clear whether there were any casualties from the latest airstrikes. | It is not clear whether there were any casualties from the latest airstrikes. |
| The latest violence came despite separate ceasefires declared by Hamas and Israel on 17 and 18 January to end Israel's three-week offensive on Gaza. | The latest violence came despite separate ceasefires declared by Hamas and Israel on 17 and 18 January to end Israel's three-week offensive on Gaza. |
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| Footage of the jeep attack which killed an Israeli soldier | |
| Both EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and US envoy George Mitchell are currently in the region to push forward efforts at cementing a permanent ceasefire. | Both EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and US envoy George Mitchell are currently in the region to push forward efforts at cementing a permanent ceasefire. |
| Mr Mitchell, newly appointed by US President Barack Obama, is due to arrive in Israel later on Wednesday for talks with Mr Olmert, top security officials, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. | Mr Mitchell, newly appointed by US President Barack Obama, is due to arrive in Israel later on Wednesday for talks with Mr Olmert, top security officials, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. |
| The land, air and sea assault killed about 1,300 Palestinians, including 400 children. Thirteen Israelis died. | The land, air and sea assault killed about 1,300 Palestinians, including 400 children. Thirteen Israelis died. |
| Tunnel network | Tunnel network |
| The Gaza Strip's southern frontier is peppered with tunnels into Egypt that were pummelled by air-strikes during Israel's offensive. | The Gaza Strip's southern frontier is peppered with tunnels into Egypt that were pummelled by air-strikes during Israel's offensive. |
| One of Israel's stated goals was to halt the smuggling of weapons - including rockets that were being fired against Israeli towns - into the coastal enclave through the network of tunnels. Mixed with the rubble and shrapnel on the floor is a shell collection, a pink hairbrush, belts, handbags, a fragment of cardboard printed with a Barbie and lots of school books, caked with dried blood Jeremy Bowen Bowen diary: Family tragedyCounting casualties of Gaza's warAid worker diary: Part 22 | One of Israel's stated goals was to halt the smuggling of weapons - including rockets that were being fired against Israeli towns - into the coastal enclave through the network of tunnels. Mixed with the rubble and shrapnel on the floor is a shell collection, a pink hairbrush, belts, handbags, a fragment of cardboard printed with a Barbie and lots of school books, caked with dried blood Jeremy Bowen Bowen diary: Family tragedyCounting casualties of Gaza's warAid worker diary: Part 22 |
| But smuggling resumed shortly after the non-negotiated cease-fires were declared. | But smuggling resumed shortly after the non-negotiated cease-fires were declared. |
| Residents along the border say food, fuel and other goods are moving through the several dozen tunnels that are still operational. | Residents along the border say food, fuel and other goods are moving through the several dozen tunnels that are still operational. |
| Israeli and Palestinian faction representatives have visited Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials since the ceasefires came into effect. | Israeli and Palestinian faction representatives have visited Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials since the ceasefires came into effect. |
| Hamas wants an end of Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza. Israel, which is to hold a general election in two weeks, wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming. | Hamas wants an end of Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza. Israel, which is to hold a general election in two weeks, wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming. |