Jerusalem, Apr 8: Israeli warplanes today pounded targets in the southern Gaza Strip, killing six Palestinians, including a woman and her daughter, taking the total number of casualties to 10 within 24 hours of deadly attacks.
 A statement from Israel Defence Forces confirmed the attacks acknowledging civilian casualties, and said the military "regrets that the Hamas terrorist organisation chooses to operate from within its civilian population, using it as a 'human shield'."
 Israel struck in the southern Gaza area of Khan younis this afternoon hitting the Faraheen area killing a mother and daughter, injuring a second daughter and three others, Palestinian medics said.
 A strike half an hour earlier killed an elderly man in the Qarara area of the city, they said.
 The air strikes came in response to the launching of a projectile from the Gaza Strip, which hit a school bus in southern Israel yesterday injuring two people, including a 16-year-old boy who is in a critical condition.
 The strike was claimed by Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades. The attack was "the first response to the continuing crimes of the occupation," said a statement by the group.
 The IDF also reported "heavy rocket and mortar fire," emanating from Gaza this afternoon.
 A statement from the Israeli army said a total of five mortars and eight projectiles had been fired from Gaza today. The mortars fired from Gaza exploded in the afternoon forcing schools in southern Israel to hold students from returning to their homes until the attacks passed.
 The explosions caused no casualties.
 Earlier today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Thursday's school bus attack "crossed the line," adding that "the IDF acted immediately last night and would continue to act with determination."
 The Israel Air Force also struck a building it claimed is used for terror activities and three smuggling tunnels in the Gaza Strip overnight, after Hamas announced an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip in an effort to reign in growing tensions.
 After consulting with various other Palestinian factions in Gaza and other international Arab officials, Hamas said that the cease-fire went into effect at last night. 

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST