Three killed in Palestinian rocket attack on Israel (VIDEO)

Nov 15 2012 By Cheryl Mullin

MILITANTS in the Gaza Strip pounded southern Israel with rocket fire today, killing three people as the Israeli military continued with a second day of intense air raids and naval attacks on militant targets.

With Israel threatening to invade the Palestinian territory, the heaviest fighting between Israel and Hamas in four years showed no signs of letting up.

Thirteen Palestinians, including four civilians, have died since the fighting began yesterday when Israel assassinated Hamas’ military chief, said Palestinian medical officials.

The clashes brought life to a standstill on both sides of the border.

Gaza’s streets were mostly empty as the Israeli air force continued to strike targets. Residents across southern Israel remained huddled indoors or close to home, ordered by authorities to remain close to a network of public bomb shelters.

The deaths in the southern Israeli town of Kiryat Malachi were the first in Israel since it launched its operation and raised the prospects of even fiercer Israeli retaliation.

Israeli leaders have said they are prepared to broaden the operation to a ground invasion if necessary, though there were no signs of extraordinary troop movements along the border.

“The military will continue acting to establish deterrence against Hamas and to return the calm,” Defence Minister Ehud Barak said during a tour of southern Israel. He praised citizens for coping with the “tough moments to come”.