London calls for Israeli-Gaza restraint

LONDON, March 12 (UPI) -- All sides to the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups should exercise restraint, the British government said.

Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian militants left three fighters with the Islamic Jihad dead during the fourth day of clashes in the region. More than 150 rockets have been fired on southern Israel since Friday.

Israeli army spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav Mordechai told Israel Radio his forces were targeting weapon depots.

"Until now we have killed 20 armed terrorists and a 12-year-old boy who was walking near where Islamic Jihad terrorists were about to fire rockets," he said.

Alistair Burt, British Foreign Office minister for the Middle East, on Monday expressed concern over the conflict.

"I am deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel. I condemn any attacks targeting civilians," he said in a statement. "I urge all sides to exercise restraint, re-establish calm and avoid any further civilian casualties."

The Islamic Jihad and Palestinian Resistance Committee in Gaza claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Israeli government blames Hamas, the Palestinian political group governing Gaza Strip, for the violence.

Conflict erupted after the Israeli military killed Zuhar al-Qaissi, a commander of the Palestinian Resistance Committee, last week.