Israel vows tougher response to Palestinian fire

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed intensified military response to Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

The comments came after a rocket with a longer range hit the 120,000-strong Ashkelon city on Sunday, which security officials said had been made in Iran.

The 122-millimeter rocket was "not like something we've seen before" out of Gaza, said Micky Rosenfeld, Israeli police spokesman.

"There is no doubt that this signals a certain escalation in the activity of terror organisations in Gaza," Olmert said.

"The defence ministry has instructed the security services to strengthen Israel's reaction, which has already been firmer in recent weeks."

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority condemned "Israeli escalations" just days before US President George Bush visits the region for a Middle East peace bid.

"We call on Israel to halt its military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," said Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.