41.   That attack was also in response to Palestinian mortar fire earlier in the day, the Israelis said.

42.   The army initially said the blast was caused by a Palestinian mortar that fell short of its target, an Israeli army position.

43.   That attack was also in response to Palestinian mortar fire, the Israelis said.

44.   The army said the Palestinian home was hit by a Palestinian mortar that fell short of its intended target, an Israeli army position.

45.   The army said the missiles were fired in response to a Palestinian mortar attack.

46.   The barrage came after four Israeli communities yesterday were attacked by Palestinian mortar fire, even though nobody was hurt.

47.   The barrage came after four Israeli communities yesterday were attacked by Palestinian mortar fire.

48.   The beefed up presence followed a Palestinian mortar attack from the West Bank, the first such assault from there since the two sides began fighting in late September.

49.   The hostilities last night in Gaza were precipitated by the provocative Palestinian mortar attacks on Israel.

50.   The Israeli military said the air strike was retaliation for Palestinian mortar fire at Jewish settlements in Gaza.