Two dead in Israel-Gaza border violence

Ten people were also wounded in a series of retaliatory Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip.

The attacks came hours after an Israeli civilian was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper while repairing the border security fence, according to reports. It is heaviest burst of violence in the region since November 2012 and sparked fears that the cease-fire which has been implemented for months could be broken.

Israel’s military said its aircraft and tanks had carried out strikes on several “terror sites”, including a weapons manufacturing base. Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, said it was a “dangerous escalation”.

“I recommend to Hamas not to test our patience and to assert its authority,” Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon said. “If there isn’t quiet in Israel, there won’t be quiet in the Gaza Strip.”

According to reports, the girl died when Israeli shells hit the east of Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The girl’s mother and two of her brothers were wounded in the attack, reports say.

‘Targeting of terror strikes’

The Israeli military said aircraft, tanks and infantry targeted “terror sites” in Gaza, including a weapons-manufacturing facility, “terror infrastructure” and a concealed rocket launcher.

Palestinian officials reported at least 16 Israeli attacks, causing a causing a series of loud explosions across the territory in rapid succession. Hamas ordered its forces to evacuate offices and compounds and redeploy to safer sites.

Hamas health ministry official Ashraf al-Kidra said an airstrike in central Gaza killed a 3-year-old girl and wounded three relatives, including two young siblings. In all, 10 people were wounded, he said.

I recommend to Hamas not to test our patience and to assert its authority. If there isn’t quiet in Israel, there won’t be quiet in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri condemned what he called “cowardly” Israeli attacks. “The occupation will not terrify the Palestinian people by these actions and will not punish our resistance and will not halt its readiness to respond to any attacks on Gaza,” he said.

Israel and Hamas are bitter enemies. The sides have engaged in frequent fighting since Hamas, an Islamic militant group committed to Israel’s destruction, seized power of Gaza in 2007. Israel has carried out two large-scale military offensives in Gaza in response to heavy rocket fire, in early 2009 and then last year.

The 2012 operation ended in an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire. While both sides have largely observed the truce, it has been tested by periodic rocket and mortar fire out of Gaza and retaliatory airstrikes. Salafist extremists opposed to the cease-fire have been behind most of the violence. But Israel says it holds Hamas responsible for all attacks out of its territory. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Tuesday’s shooting.