Israeli helicopter missiles struck at Hamas militant targets today after a two-month break which had apparently been aimed to rekindle ceasefire talks crucial to a US-backed peace plan but failed to do so.
Two missiles fired at a car in Gaza City wounded one of the two passengers - Jamal al-Jarah, a senior member of the Islamic group's military wing - and some 10 passers-by, Palestinian security sources said.
Hamas, which has carried out dozens of suicide bombings in Israel since the start of a Palestinian uprising in 2000, immediately vowed to continue what it called its campaign of resistance.
In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers posted eviction orders at four unauthorised Jewish outposts slated for removal under the stalled peace "road map", which calls for reciprocal steps leading to creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.
Israel says the planned removal of four settlements built without government approval is in line with its commitment to the plan, but Palestinians dismiss it as a publicity stunt. Only one of the outposts in occupied territory is inhabited.
The Gaza attack seemed to settle what Israeli media reports have described as an debate within the security forces over whether to target Hamas men again following the collapse of recent Egyptian efforts to coax militants into a truce.
Israel has not carried out helicopter attacks against Hamas militants since October 20th, when members of the group's Izz el-Qassem brigade were killed in their car in Gaza City.