61.   Violence escalated late Monday with the Israeli military retaliating for a Palestinian mortar attack by pounding parts of Gaza with shells and rockets.

62.   Wednesday began with an Israeli air strike in retaliation for Palestinian mortar fire at Jewish settlements and army posts.

63.   After the air raids, a Palestinian mortar shell was fired at another Israeli settlement at Gush Katif without causing any injuries, the army added.

64.   An Israeli military source said a house in the nearby settlement of Alei Sinai had been damaged by a Palestinian mortar bomb.

65.   It appeared that the Israelis were replying to Palestinian mortar fire at the nearby settlement of Alei Sinai the incident.

66.   It appeared that the Israelis were replying to Palestinian mortar fire at the nearby settlement of Alei Sinai after witnesses spoke of hearing two dull explosions in the sector.

67.   That attack was a response to Palestinian mortar fire on a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, the army said.

68.   That attack was a responde to Palestinian mortar fire on a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip, the army said.