Rocket fire from Gaza despite Hamas plea

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Palestinian militants launched several Qassam rockets into southern Israel despite calls from Hamas for a cease-fire with Israel amid rising tensions.

Three rockets launched Thursday morning from Gaza caused minor damage to buildings surrounding a schoolyard, Ynetnews reported Thursday. Two rockets landed in an open field and another landed in a school courtyard.

Israeli officials reported no injuries from the rocket attacks.

The Salah a-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committee, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel declined recently following raids by Israeli forces against Islamic Jihad militants and Wednesday's call for a cease-fire by Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

Israeli President Shimon Peres said the calls for a cease-fire were "a pathetic attempt at diverting attention from Hamas and Islamic Jihad's crimes."

Kuwait's official news agency cited anonymous medical sources Thursday saying three Palestinians were killed and several injured in Israeli raids on the al-Meghazi refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.