Palestinians Fire Rocket Into Israel

JERUSALEM -- Palestinian militants fired a rocket into Israel at dawn Thursday, the Israeli military said, a violation of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

The rocket landed in Nir Am, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, causing no casualties, the army said. No Palestinian group immediately took responsibility.

Since the Nov. 26 cease-fire took hold in the chaotic coastal territory, Palestinian militants have fired more than 20 rockets at Israel, according to the army's count, causing no casualties.

The cease-fire has also been marred by a string of incidents in which Israeli soldiers have shot Palestinians approaching the heavily guarded Gaza-Israel border. On Wednesday, troops killed a 22-year-old Fatah militant along the border fence. The incidents have not derailed the truce.

Internal Palestinian violence, however, is threatening the chance of a national unity government being formed between the ruling militant group Hamas and its rival Fatah, and along with it the renewal of peace talks with Israel.

The Wednesday killing of a Hamas activist was the latest in a wave of bloodshed that began Monday when unknown assailants gunned down the three young sons of a Fatah-allied security officer in Gaza City. Both sides are blaming the other in the killings.