IDF strikes Hamas cell in Gaza, 2 killed

Hours after rocket crashes into Ashkelon shopping mall, Israel launches airstrike against Hamas cells in Gaza. Palestinian sources say IDF also firing artillery rounds near Beit Lahiyah region
Ali Waked

Less than 12 hours after Palestinians launched a Grad rocket into a busy Ashkelon shopping mall and wounded 15 people, the IAF targeted a Hamas cell in the Sajayia neighborhood in Gaza City.

Two Hamas gunmen have been reported killed in the strike, two more were wounded.

Palestinians sources said the IDF was also firing artillery rounds towards a target in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza. No casualties have been reported thus far.

Israel is expected to step up its operations against Hamas in the near future, particularly against the Islamist group's leadership and infrastructure.

Speaking at the president's conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called the Ashkelon attack "completely unacceptable.

"The Israeli government is committed to stopping (these attacks) and we will take the necessary steps,"

he vowed.

Olmert remarked that he had expressed his concern for the residents of southern Israel only a few hours before the attack occurred, in his meeting with US President George W. Bush.

"The president arrived (here) on a mission of peace," he said. "At the end of the day we can rely only on ourselves for our security, but we will always know we have someone to lean on."

Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report