GAZA, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- The Israeli occupying army accused on Tuesday Hamas of escalating attacks against Israel, but said the movement is not interested in full-scale war.
The army said its strikes at Gaza came after some 30 mortar shells and 10 Qassam rockets were fired over the last two weeks at south Israel, Israel's Haaretz daily reported.
It believed that the increase in such attacks is related to Hamas' despair over stalled prisoner swap negotiations and lack of progress in reconciliation with Fatah.
Israeli Army Chief Gabi Ashkenazi had ordered the air force to strike eight Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight Tuesday, in light of the militant group's increased offensives against Israeli troops and civilians along the border over the last two weeks.
The multiple-target operation was the first of its kind in month, and came on the surface in response to an alleged firing of rockets at the western Negev over the last few days.
The Israeli military claims that Hamas is not interested in a full-scale escalation, but that the movement's echelon has grown into unprecedented despair regarding the lack of progress in prisoner swap negotiations with Israel and with the stalled reconciliation talks with the rival Fatah faction. (end) mzt.mt KUNA 212255 Dec 10NNNN