Palestinian militants launch mortar and rocket assault on Israel

Occupied Jerusalem: Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip bombarded southern Israel with mortars and rockets early on Wednesday, burdening diplomatic efforts to revive a truce that expired over the weekend.

Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza, said the bombardment was in retaliation for the deaths of three of its fighters in a clash with Israeli troops late on Tuesday. Israel said the militants were planting explosives in northern Gaza along the border fence.

The Israeli military said 10 mortars and three rockets were fired at southern Israel late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday. No injuries were reported.

Before the violence resumed, Israel had agreed to crack open cargo crossings with Gaza on Wednesday to allow in a limited amount of food, medicines and fuel from Egypt. The Defense Ministry had no immediate comment on whether that plan would go ahead in light of the militant barrages.

Israel has maintained a strict blockade of Gaza since the ceasefire began unravelling six weeks ago, allowing in only small quantities of essential goods. Egypt has similarly sealed its border crossing with the territory.

The sanctions have deepened the destitution in Gaza, home to 1.4 million Palestinians who are confined to the tiny coastal strip. Gazans have worked around the choking off of supplies by bringing in goods through tunnels dug under the Gaza-Egypt border.

So far the number of rockets and retaliatory Israeli airstrikes has not approached the pre-truce level, feeding hopes that the ceasefire can be resumed. Both sides have expressed willingness to consider reviving it.

Egypt, which mediated the expired truce, is leading the diplomatic efforts to renew it. On Thursday, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo.