GAZA - More than 70 mortar shells were fired at Gaza Strip settlements and IDF posts Saturday and Sunday, after soldiers killed three Palestinian youngsters Saturday.
One horse was killed in the attacks and two buildings were damaged.
Violent incidents were reported throughout the night, as the Palestinians also fired an anti-tank missile at an IDF post on the Israel-Egypt border, near Rafah. No injuries or damage were reported in the attack.
Tensions Flare
IDF kills 3 boys in Gaza / By Ali Waked and Hanan Greenberg
Soldiers open fire after spotting five figures crawling toward Egyptian border, army says. Palestinians say youngsters were playing soccer, IDF says they were arms smugglers; mortar barrage hits Gaza settlements, army posts following incident
Meanwhile, IDF Southern Command officers continue to closely monitor events in the Strip. The army expected a Palestinian response to the killing of the three Palestinian boys, but IDF officials are concerned the continued shelling could eventually exact a human toll.
Gush Katif residents are upset at the IDF for not retaliating for the ongoing attacks. One resident even called Southern Command Head Dan Harel and asked for an explanation for the army's lack of action.
'We want to move forward'
IDF officials have said they are concerned the attacks could escalate and are blaming the Palestinian Authority for not taking steps to curb the violence.
Israel will not be retaliating for mortar attacks at this time, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz hinted during an Air Force ceremony Sunday.
"I highly recommend to refrain from talking about red lines at this time," he said. "We want to move forward."
The current situation is characterized by instability, Mofaz said, and added there is a "very large gap" between PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas' intentions and developments on the ground.
"I really hope they regain their composure and boost Palestinian security forces, so they can address terror groups," he said.
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