Israeli aircraft fires missile in northern Gaza

GAZA - An Israeli aircraft fired a missile into the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday and the army said a weapons depot was hit, the first such attack since Israel and the Palestinian Authority declared a ceasefire in February.

"The air force carried out an attack on a weapons storage facility containing Qassam rockets and mortars in the town of Beit Hanoun," a military spokeswoman said in Jerusalem.

Residents said the missile struck a water pumping station.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Israel has stepped up air activity in Gaza recently in response to rocket and mortar bomb attacks by Palestinian militants on Jewish settlements and a town in southern Israel.

In the hours leading to the air strike, militants fired more than 20 rockets and mortar bombs at Gaza settlements. Militants say the attacks are retaliation for Israeli raids to capture wanted gunmen.

- REUTERS