Ramallah – The Egypt-brokered truce between Israel and Palestinian armed groups collapsed Sunday as the two parties resumed the exchange of fire. Palestinian medical sources Palestinian Suleiman Al-Qarra, 27, was killed and another fighter was critically wounded in an Israeli aerial strike on Bani Soheila town in northern Gaza Strip. The sources said that the fighters were members of Izzeldin Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas movement. Palestinian security sources said that the violence was resumed after several Israeli tanks and bulldozers got through a security fence that serves as a borderline between Gaza and Israel to the east of Khan Younis, a southern Gaza Strip city. The sources added that the Palestinian fighters fired four mortar shells toward the advancing Israeli army vehicles, and a drone hovering overhead struck the militants with at least one missile, causing the casualties. The Israeli army spokesman's unit confirmed the strike saying the army “will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians or soldiers, and will continue to act against any organization initiating terror attacks against the State of Israel.” The Izzeldin Al-Qassam Brigades said that its fighters launched two Grad rockets at the southern Israeli city of Beer Sheva in response to the killing of Al-Qarra. No casualties or damage were reported. The Israeli Army Radio said that Israeli officials closed schools in the city, home to some 150,000 residents, after the strike. A few hours earlier, two Qassam rockets hit an open field near Eshkol Regional Council. No casualties were reported there either. The airstrike came barely three days after a shaky ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian groups in Gaza took effect. Egypt brokered the indirect lull deal. The last wave of cross-border violence claimed the lives of nine Palestinian activists. Palestinian fighters in the coastal enclave fired 90 rockets injuring several Israelis and foreign workers. Meanwhile, the Israeli government unanimously approved a plan to bolster fortification for the southern communities despite the fact that the 2013 State budget has yet to be approved. Israel Radio said the plan, promoted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will see to the defense of 1,700 homes and institutions located 4.5-7 kilometers from Gaza Strip. It is estimated at 270 million Israeli shekel ($69.7 million). The report said that the Netanyahu will have 30 days to determine the source of the funding without bringing the issue for a second government approval.
