Israelis may shoot at Palestinians after first giving warning

Israel could aim artillery at Palestinian towns, after first giving warning, if militants continue to attack Israeli border towns with rockets, a senior Israeli army officer said Wednesday.

The web site of the Haaretz daily quoted the army's chief of operation, Maj. Gen. Israel Ziv, as saying that if rocket fire continues, "we will warn residents, make sure they leave, and then fire artillery into the area."

Ziv said that after withdrawing from Gaza two weeks ago, Israel will not tolerate rocket attacks from the coastal territory on Israeli border towns. The threat to hit towns marked a further escalation in Israel's campaign against Palestinian militants in recent days.

T.E.