Israel to resume targeted assassinations

JERUSALEM, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Israeli military and security forces were given orders Tuesday to resume targeted killings of Islamic Jihad leaders in response to renewed rocket attacks.

The strikes, which most often utilize helicopter gunships firing on vehicles and buildings, were authorized after rocket attacks Monday and Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post reported. No one was injured in the attacks.

"On principle, we need to fix a price for every attack from Gaza against Gaza belt communities," Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon told Army Radio. "We can not continue to supply water, fuel and electricity when they are trying to kill our children."

At a news conference, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the orders were to "destroy every rocket launcher and hit everyone who is involved in the rocket fire."

Israel has claimed the jihadists have begun using children to plant, fire and retrieve rocket launchers.