2007年VOA标准英语-Israeli Air Strikes on Gaza Continue as Palesti

Israel has launched another wave of air strikes on the Palestinian-ruled Gaza Strip, wounding at least 10 people. Palestinian militants¹ responded by firing more rockets across the border. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.

rubble2 at a damaged money-changing office following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City, 25 May 2007" hspace="2" src="http://www.tingroom.com/upimg/allimg/070607/0943410.jpg" width="210" vspace="2" border="0" />

Palestinians clean rubble at damaged money changing office following Israeli air strike in Gaza City, 25 May 2007

The army denied that Mr. Haniyeh was the target, but Israel has threatened to assassinate³ him and other Hamas political and military leaders in response to a wave of Palestinian rocket attacks.

Palestinians have fired more than 160 homemade Qassam rockets at Israel over the past 10 days, and they keep coming despite the air strikes. But Israeli spokesman Mark Regev believes the air campaign is slowly bearing fruit.

"I think the understanding is that by these sort of operations we are limiting and preventing them from launching Qassam rockets against our civilian⁴ population," he said.

Moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who shares power in a coalition⁵ government led by Hamas, condemned⁶ the rocket attacks.

Mr. Abbas described the attacks as "pointless and needless." He said they must be stopped in order reach a ceasefire with Israel.

But Hamas rejected the demand, saying rockets will be fired as long as what it described as "Zionist aggression⁷" continues.

The internal dispute over the rocket attacks underscores the deep differences among Palestinians over how to proceed in the struggle with Israel. The moderates, led by Mr. Abbas, seek a negotiated settlement. But the militants, led by Hamas, believe the only way to achieve a Palestinian state is through jihad, or holy war.