In response to a resumption of Palestinian rocket attacks against Israel, Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Saturday threatened a military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
"It is possible that the time will come in which a large calculated military operation will be necessary," he said in a speech in the coastal city of Netanya.
He called the firing of rockets into Israeli border cities untolerable and said the Israeli Army is prepared for a large offensive that could be painful for the Palestinian side.
Israel closed the commercial crossing points along the Gaza Strip on November 4, following a surge of violence that left a June ceasefire in tatters. In two actions this week, the Israeli Army killed 10 Palestinians, while militants have fired more than 100 rockets into Israel, according to military estimates.
The radical Islamic group Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since last June, on Saturday threatened further attacks. "The Israelis will enjoy no peace as long as the Palestinians experience bloodshed," Hamas spokesman Fawsi Barhum said.
In response to the violence, Israel has largely sealed off the Strip. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was unable to deliver food aid to 750,000 refugees in the impoverished Strip on Saturday.
Shares fell 2.1 per cent Friday on the Seoul stock exchange on general recession fears. South Korea's won dropped against the dollar.
When the Spirit rover landed on Mars five years ago, no one expected it or its sister rover Opportunity to make it to their first birthdays, let alone their fifth.
Amelie Mauresmo fell victim to a leg injury after less than half an hour on court Friday to hand over a 4-0 victory which put French compatriot Marion Bartoli into the final of the Brisbane International.
Mumbai-based movie Slumdog Millionaire won five prizes Thursday night at the Critics Choice Awards, cementing its position as a surprise favourite just as the Oscar season moves into high gear.
After the Taipei Zoo received two giant pandas from China, another Taiwan zoo said Friday it is seeking to receive a pair of pandas from China.