IDF soldier moderately wounded by Palestinian fire in south Gaza

An Israel Defense Forces soldier was moderately wounded on Sunday by Palestinian fire in the southern Gaza Strip.

The soldier, from the Givati infantry brigade, was given first aid on the spot. He was then evacuated by helicopter for treatment at a hospital.

IDF troops operated early Sunday east of Khan Yunis, as well as in other parts of the coastal strip, against Palestinian rocket squads.

According to Gaza sources, two Palestinians were wounded in clashes with the IDF soldiers.

Also Sunday, a Grad-type Katyusha and two Qassam rockets struck the western Negev. There were no injuries or damages reported any of the incidents.

Dozens of Negev residents demonstrated on Sunday near the Sufa Crossing to Gaza, calling on the government to stop transfer of food to Gaza so long as rocket fire continues.

On Saturday morning, two migrant workers from Thailand were wounded, one moderately and the other lightly when a Qassam rocket hit the western Negev greenhouse in which they were working.

Magen David Adom emergency services personnel evacuated both men to Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva for treatment.

Earlier in the day, Palestinian militants fired five Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip. No casualties or damage were reported.

The political-security cabinet was due to vote Sunday on whether to agree to an Egyptian-mediated cease-fire with Hamas in Gaza, but Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak canceled the meeting, citing the "vagueness" of Hamas' position.

	An IDF tank returning from the Gaza Strip into Israel near the Sufa Crossing on Friday. (AP)