Israeli forces injured in attack

JERUSALEM, April 19 (UPI) -- Thirteen Israeli soldiers were hurt Saturday when two cars exploded at a border crossing in Gaza, authorities said.

Eight of the soldiers were taken to a hospital and the rest were treated on the scene after two jeeps disguised as Israeli military vehicles exploded, Haaretz reported.

Four militants were killed in the attack, authorities said.

Authorities said attempted attack on Kerem Shalom Thursday was likely an intelligence-gathering mission in preparation for Saturday's attack, which was planned to coincide with the beginning of Passover, which begins Saturday night.

A Hamas leader in Gaza City, Sami Abu Zuhri, said the group would carry out more attacks on crossings to break the nearly yearlong blockade of the territory.

"These operations are the beginning of the explosions that Hamas has warned of," said Abu Zuhri. "If the parties don't intervene quickly to save Gaza and break the siege, what is coming will be greater."

A Qassam rocket launched from the Gaza Friday hit power lines in Sderot, causing an electricity blackout in several neighborhoods of the western Negev town and a nearby kibbutz, Haaretz reported.

In all, 16 rockets were fired toward Israel Friday, the newspaper said.