Israel warns Hamas over attacks

May 18, 2007

On a visit to the border town of Sderot, hit by dozens of Palestinian rockets in recent days, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed to stand firm. Israeli tanks have re-entered the Gaza Strip, from where the Jewish state withdrew in 2005. A spokesman called the presence a ''defensive operation'' leaving it unclear as to whether Israel was changing its policy on leaving the area.