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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Israeli warning over Gaza rockets | Israeli warning over Gaza rockets |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Israel's prime minister has promised an "uncompromising response" if rockets continue to be fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. | Israel's prime minister has promised an "uncompromising response" if rockets continue to be fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. |
| Ehud Olmert said Israel's retaliation would be painful, harsh and strong. | Ehud Olmert said Israel's retaliation would be painful, harsh and strong. |
| Mr Olmert's statement came as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Egypt on Sunday on her first Middle East trip since taking office. | |
| Meanwhile, Palestinian medics said five people had died when a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border collapsed. | Meanwhile, Palestinian medics said five people had died when a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border collapsed. |
| Both Israel and the main Palestinian militant group in Gaza, Hamas, declared unilateral truces following Israel's three-week Gaza offensive on 17 January. | Both Israel and the main Palestinian militant group in Gaza, Hamas, declared unilateral truces following Israel's three-week Gaza offensive on 17 January. |
| But dozens of rocket strikes and other attacks from Gaza have been reported since then, apparently involving smaller militant groups. | |
| Israel has responded with air strikes. | Israel has responded with air strikes. |
| Tunnel collapse | Tunnel collapse |
| Speaking at the start of his cabinet's weekly meeting in Jerusalem, Mr Olmert said: "If the rocket fire from Gaza continues, it will be answered with a painful, harsh, strong and uncompromising response from the security forces." | Speaking at the start of his cabinet's weekly meeting in Jerusalem, Mr Olmert said: "If the rocket fire from Gaza continues, it will be answered with a painful, harsh, strong and uncompromising response from the security forces." |
| His warning came as diplomats from around the world prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in Egypt on Monday. Palestinians are seeking about $2.8bn in aid. | His warning came as diplomats from around the world prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in Egypt on Monday. Palestinians are seeking about $2.8bn in aid. |
| Mr Olmert said Israel's response would be "painful, harsh, strong" | |
| After attending the conference, Ms Clinton is then expected to continue on to Israel and the West Bank. | |
| Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a brief visit to Gaza on Sunday, the first in his role as international Middle East envoy. | Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a brief visit to Gaza on Sunday, the first in his role as international Middle East envoy. |
| Mr Blair, who will also attend the donor conference, met local businessmen at a UN school in northern Gaza and discussed the territory's reconstruction needs with them. | Mr Blair, who will also attend the donor conference, met local businessmen at a UN school in northern Gaza and discussed the territory's reconstruction needs with them. |
| The former PM was not meeting any representatives of Hamas, which is regarded by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organisation. | The former PM was not meeting any representatives of Hamas, which is regarded by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organisation. |
| Earlier, Palestinian medical workers in Gaza said five people were killed and at least one is missing when a smuggling tunnel under the border with Egypt collapsed. | Earlier, Palestinian medical workers in Gaza said five people were killed and at least one is missing when a smuggling tunnel under the border with Egypt collapsed. |
| Reports said the cave-in was likely caused by heavy rainfall. | Reports said the cave-in was likely caused by heavy rainfall. |
| Gazans use tunnels to smuggle in goods that are not available in the territory because of Israel and Egypt's blockade of its borders. | Gazans use tunnels to smuggle in goods that are not available in the territory because of Israel and Egypt's blockade of its borders. |
| Militants also use the tunnels to bring in weapons. | Militants also use the tunnels to bring in weapons. |
| The ground around Rafah in southern Gaza, where the tunnels are concentrated, is sandy and notoriously unstable. | The ground around Rafah in southern Gaza, where the tunnels are concentrated, is sandy and notoriously unstable. |