Militants launch rocket at Israeli city

JERUSALEM - Palestinian militants in Gaza launched a rocket Tuesday at the Israeli city of Ashkelon, Israeli police said, causing no injuries but threatening to upset a recent period of calm. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had left Ashkelon a short time before the rocket hit.The rocket landed in an open area south of the city of 120,000 people, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.The rocket fire came during a lull in fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza. Intense violence had left three Israelis and 120 Palestinians dead, including dozens of civilians.During the fighting, dozens of rockets hit Israel every day, including many that targeted Ashkelon.It was the first time the coastal town was heavily bombarded by Palestinian militants.
Israel pulled its forces out of Gaza last week and militants scaled back their rocket fire. Egypt has been serving as a mediator between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers, but both sides denied there was an official cease-fire in place.There was no immediate claim of responsibility from Gaza for the rocket fire Tuesday. But Israel held Hamas responsible."Hamas controls Gaza and they are responsible for every missile fired from Gaza into Israel. We have no illusions as to the extreme and hateful agenda of Hamas," said government spokesman Mark Regev.

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