Kassams, retaliation continue

Israel launched a new round of air strikes on targets near Gaza City on Friday in retaliation for ongoing rocket attacks on southern Israel. Israeli tanks also crossed a short distance into Gaza for the first time since November. News reports put the number of Palestinians killed Friday at four to seven. Meanwhile, attacks on Israel continued, with nine more rockets landing Friday in the western Negev, two of which scored direct hits on a home and a gas station. Three residents of Sderot were lightly wounded, the Jerusalem Post reported. Israel warned it would continue to attack with “sustained and vibrant measures.” Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the Cabinet will meet as usual Sunday and will make decisions on its response in the coming days, Reuters reported. The strikes came as fighting between rival Palestinian factions continued for a sixth day in Gaza, heightening concern of an all-out Palestinian civil war.