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Gaza mortar shells injure eight soldiers, one loses leg By Amos Harel Eight Israel Defense Forces soldiers were wounded Friday evening, two seriously, after mortar shells fired by Gaza Strip militants hit a military base near Kibbutz Nahal Oz in the western Negev. The soldiers were evacuated to the Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva and the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon. Doctors had to amputate the leg of one of the soldiers, who was brought to the hospital in a serious condition. Advertisement "Unfortunately, we had no choice but to amputate his leg, in hopes that we managed to save the other leg," a doctor told Army Radio yesterday. "He is currently on a ventilator and unconscious." The incident began when a cell of four Palestinian militants approached the strip's perimeter fence, apparently in order to plant explosive devices. An IDF force opened fire on the militants, wounding three of them. Palestinians retaliated by firing six mortar shells on Israeli towns and villages near the border. No injuries were reported. Hamas militants launched three more shells at 9 P.M. that struck the Nahal Oz base and wounded the eight soldiers. "[Palestinian] provocations leave us no other option so we will have to take action soon," Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai said yesterday. "We are nearing a wide-scale operation in Gaza. Something we have not seen in the past." Despite Vilnai's warnings, the likelihood of Israel launching such an operation is slim as it is opposed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Shin Bet security service head Yuval Diskin. The violence has further marred the fragile five-month-old truce between Israel and Gaza militants that began breaking down in early November. Vilnai said yesterday that he believes Hamas values the truce because it serves their interests. Security sources yesterday speculated that the Islamic group, which forcibly seized control of the Gaza Strip from the Fatah faction, is trying to reach a new balance with Israel that will allow it to launch occasional attacks on Israel without major repercussions. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Dancing on graves It is hard to believe that Pakistan is behind the Mumbai carnage. 'Tis the season Bethlehem mayor says Christmas season will cap a boom year for tourism.

Read & React Two Israelis in Mumbai remain unaccounted for Responses: 75 Israeli experts: Slow op meant 'no chance' for Chabad house captives in Mumbai Responses: 106 Bush to Olmert: Why are you giving Syria the Golan for nothing? Responses: 75 Is 'the most dangerous man in the world' behind the Mumbai attacks? Responses: 14 More Headlines 00:29 Two Israelis still missing after Mumbai attack 20:08 Olmert: No doubt Mumbai attack targeted Jewish institutions 22:11 India enters 'war' alert, blaming Pakistan for Mumbai terror 21:24 U.S. rabbi: I spoke to Mumbai terrorist on slain rabbi's phone 01:48 Police victim ID unit leaves for India, as two Israelis still missing 01:03 Treasury officials to PM's advisers: Your economic plan is illegal 00:50 Picasso sketchings sell low, as Jerusalem auction feels pinch of cash crisis 16:55 IDF soldiers get cash reward for refusing to evict settlers 19:03 Cabinet approves releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners in gesture to Abbas 14:07 Qassam strikes residential area in central Sderot 20:11 Bethlehem mayor: Christmas season will cap boom year for tourism 22:04 Olmert to bring for cabinet vote plan to fortify Gaza-area homes 17:57 Iran proposes building joint nuclear plants with Arab neighbors 22:20 Rabin assassin declares hunger strike to protest prison conditions 18:59 Hamas blocks haj pilgrims granted visas by PA from leaving Gaza 20:27 Pope praises Nazi-era pontiff who Jews say turned blind eye to Holocaust Previous Editions Select Day 30 nov 28 nov 27 nov 26 nov 25 nov 24 nov 23 nov 21 nov 20 nov 19 nov 18 nov 17 nov

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