ISRAEL

Olmert Threatens Gaza Over Rockets

New tension ahead of international conference on Gaza.

Lame duck Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is warning Palestinians not take advantage of Israel's current transition period by launching rockets, a number of which have hit Israel since it declared a truce in its Gaza operation in January. "If the rocket fire from Gaza continues, it will be answered with a painful, harsh, strong and uncompromising response from the security forces." Olmert said on Sunday. Diplomats from around the world are meeting on Monday for a conference in Egypt on Gaza reconstruction, where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to pledge $900 million in US aid. International Middle East envoy Tony Blair is currently visiting Gaza to personally survey the damage caused by its recent war with Israel.