WORLD
The fresh outbreak of violence threatens to shatter the fragile truce in Gaza and has cast a shadow over new US peace envoy George Mitchell's maiden trip to the region.
In the first flare-up of violence since a ceasefire was declared in the Gaza Strip over a week ago, an Israeli army officer was killed in a blast triggered by suspected Palestinian militants, prompting the Jewish State to threaten strong retaliatory measures.
The fresh outbreak of violence threatens to shatter the fragile truce in Gaza and has cast a shadow over new US peace envoy George Mitchell's maiden trip to the region.
The explosive device targeted a Israel Defence Forces (IDF) patrol near the Kissufim border crossing close to Israel's fence with the Hamas-controlled coastal territory.
One IDF non-commissioned officer was killed and three other personnel were wounded, one of them seriously, Israeli officials and Arab television channels said.
The blast occurred shortly after 8 am as an IDF team was patrolling the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian sources said that incident was followed by exchange of heavy firing between Israeli troops and Gaza militants, including sniper fire.
"Heavy gunfire was audible along the border in central Gaza and Israeli helicopters hovered in the air, firing bursts from their machine guns. Two loud explosions were reportedly heard in Gaza City," a Palestinian witness said.
Reports said an Israeli jet set off a loud sonic boom over Gaza City, possibly as a warning.
A 24-year-old Palestinian farmer was killed by Israeli fire in the area shortly afterwards, but there were conflicting reports over whether this was part of retaliatory measures or was an unconnected incident.
Israel had carried out a 22-day long military offensive in Gaza Strip before announcing a unilateral ceasefire on January 17. This was followed by a similar announcement from the Palestinian militant groups.
The Israeli strikes killed over 1,000 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were also killed during the fighting.
The fresh attack by militants prompted the Jewish State to threatened strong retaliatory measures.
"This is a serious attack," defence minister Ehud Barak said. "We cannot accept it and we will retaliate. I do not think there is any point in saying how."
Barak told IDF reservists that despite the "massive hit" suffered by Hamas during three weeks of 'Operation Cast Lead', there was still a constant threat of attacks along the border "or even an incident that we will have to respond to".
Kadima party chairperson and foreign minister Tzipi Livni also called for retaliatory action.
The flare-up comes at a time when Mitchell, the new US envoy for Middle East, embarked on his first visit to the region. He will not be meeting Hamas leaders during his trip but one of the stated goals of his visit is to consolidate Gaza ceasefire and strengthen moderate Palestinian leaders.
US president Barack Obama on Monday appealed to Israelis and Palestinians to renew peace negotiations asserting that his administration wanted to begin by "listening and talking to those involved in the conflict without prejudging their concerns".
"Ultimately we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what is best for them," Obama told al-Arabiya TV channel in an interview. "They are going to have to make some decisions," he added.
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