Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    GAZA, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Saraya al-Quds brigades, armed wing of the Islamic Jihad (Holy War), claimed its responsibility on Sunday for launching two home-made rockets into the southern Israel city of Sderot, the group said in a statement.

    The group was successful in launching two Quds-3 rockets on the Israeli city of Sderot, hitting a residential complex and a school, said the statement sent to reporters.

    The shelling came in response to Israeli attacks against the Palestinians, said the statement, vowing to continue resistance deep in Israel until liberating the whole Palestine.

    Meanwhile, al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the governing Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), also announced its responsibility on Sunday for firing four anti-tank rockets at Israeli bulldozers operating in Biet Hanoun town in northern Gaza Strip and another two rockets at two armored personnel carriers.

    Besides, the Popular Resistance Committees' armed wing, known as Saladin Brigades, also said in a statement that a group of their members had launched a rocket propelled grenade at an Israeli bulldozer in Biet Hanoun.

    "The shell directly hit the bulldozer," according to the statement.

    Since Sunday predawn, the border town of Biet Hanoun witnessed ongoing clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants after the Israeli army moved into the area. Three Palestinians were killed in the standoff.

    Tensions between Palestinian militants and Israeli army have been heightened since an Israeli soldier was abducted by Palestinian militants in an Israeli army post on June 25. Enditem