Hamas fires 18 mortar rounds on kibbutz

JERUSALEM, June 10 (UPI) -- No injuries were reported when militants staged two mortar attacks Tuesday from Gaza toward the Nahal Oz kibbutz in the Negev region, officials said.

Israeli Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni were expected to decide Tuesday whether to undertake a military operation against Hamas in the Gaza area, Ynetnews.com reported.

Hamas took responsibility for the firing of 18 mortar shells. Shortly after the attacks, three suspected Hamas members were killed and seven others wounded during an Israeli airstrike on Gaza City, Palestinian sources told Ynetnews.

The mortar shells landed in open areas in the kibbutz, causing no injuries or damage, officials said. Residents were asked to stay indoors.

Alon Shuster, leader of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, said he was concerned about the increased attacks.

"This is the time to make immediate decisions," Shuster told Ynetnews. "This kind of fire on civilians is unacceptable. The government cannot afford to take its time on this."