Israel kills Hamas militants; rockets hit Israelis

GAZA - Israeli helicopter air strikes killed two Palestinian militants from Hamas and wounded a bystander in Gaza after rockets fired by members of the Islamist group seriously wounded an Israeli civilian.

The Israeli army confirmed the first strike, saying a helicopter fired a missile shortly after the men launched a rocket from northern Gaza. Medics confirmed Israel had killed the first Hamas fighters since November.

A second Israeli helicopter struck close to a car being driven by Hamas militants, wounding a bystander, witnesses and medics said. A second Israeli was lightly wounded from shrapnel in a rocket firing, the army said.

Defence Minister Amir Peretz said while on a visit to the 60-year-old Israeli man seriously wounded by a rocket that Israel would make "painful" responses unless the rocket fire stopped.

Peretz told the Israeli cabinet earlier that Israel would "act against all who are involved in terror, including Hamas members."

There has been an escalation in violence in the past three days, with Hamas threatening a resumption of the type of attacks it has spearheaded against Israel since an uprising began in 2000, including suicide blasts and car bombings.

Hamas took over the Palestinian government in March after winning a January election. It is sworn to Israel's destruction.

Palestinian militants frequently fire rockets into Israel but rarely cause casualties. The last time an Israeli was killed by a rocket strike was last July.

The killing of the Hamas militants was the first by Israel since the ruling Islamist group ended a 16-month truce on Friday after seven Palestinians, including three children, were killed on a Gaza beach on a day of Israeli shelling.

Israel has said the killings were a mistake, although it has not admitted responsibility. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed his condolences and promised an investigation.

Since ending its truce, Hamas has fired three dozen rockets into Israel, mostly towards Sderot.

Some Sderot residents launched a hunger strike outside Peretz's house in the town on Sunday, pressing for a tougher response to the rocket strikes. Others said they may leave.

But Peretz overruled generals who urged swift action during a closed-door session with defence chiefs, Israeli media said.

Israel has responded to the rockets with air strikes on Gaza, the coastal strip it withdrew from last year after 38 years of occupation.

Hamas politicians vowed to avenge Israel's actions. "Blood for blood and resistance for violence," Hamas lawmaker Mushir al-Masri said.

Olmert on Sunday flew to Britain and would later head for France, where he is expected to push for a strong European stance against Hamas and to discuss Iran's nuclear programme.

The United States and Europe have demanded Hamas recognise Israel, disarm and abide by existing peace agreements.

The escalation of violence coincides with growing division within Palestinian politics.

President Mahmoud Abbas met with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza after nightfallto discuss a dispute over the July 26 referendum Abbas has called on a statehood proposal implicitly recognising Israel, a move rejected by Hamas.

Hamas plans to challenge the referendum in an emergency session of parliament today, Hamas lawmakers said.

- REUTERS