Rocket fire from Gaza intensifies

Gaza militants launched 10 rockets into southern Israel by midday Monday, including one that struck the yard of a house, the military said. The barrage ramps up pressure on the Israeli government to stage a large-scale operation aimed at stopping the persistent attacks.                   

No injuries were reported and there was no immediate Israeli retaliation. But earlier in the day, Israeli aircraft struck three militant sites in Gaza.                     

According to the military's count, more than 110 rockets have hit Israel since Saturday.                     

The violence threatens to explode into a major confrontation ahead of Israel's Jan. 22 elections.                     

Israeli leaders have warned they won't tolerate continued assaults and have threatened a more forceful response.                        

"The world must understand that Israel will not sit idly in the face of attempts to attack us," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday.                       

Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said Israel's upcoming elections will not deter Israel from acting militarily.


AP