Israeli warning over Gaza rockets

Israel's prime minister has promised an "uncompromising response" if rockets continue to be fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel.

Ehud Olmert said Israel's retaliation would be painful, harsh and strong.

His warning, at a cabinet meeting, came as international Middle East envoy Tony Blair visited Gaza to see the damage caused by Israel's recent offensive.

Meanwhile, Palestinian medics said five people had died when a smuggling tunnel under the Gaza-Egypt border collapsed.

Both Israel and the main Palestinian militant group in Gaza, Hamas, declared unilateral truces following Israel's three-week Gaza offensive on 17 January.

But a number of rocket strikes and other attacks from Gaza have been reported since then, apparently involving smaller militant groups.

Israel has responded with air strikes.

Tunnel collapse

Speaking at the start of his cabinet's weekly meeting in Jerusalem, Mr Olmert said: "If the rocket fire from Gaza continues, it will be answered with a painful, harsh, strong and uncompromising response from the security forces."

His warning came as diplomats from around the world prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference in Egypt on Monday. Palestinians are seeking about $2.8bn in aid.

Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R) speaks to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
Mr Olmert said Israel's response would be "painful, harsh, strong"
Among those attending will be the new US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. She is then expected to continue on to Israel and the West Bank.

Meanwhile, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair paid a brief visit to Gaza on Sunday, the first in his role as international Middle East envoy. Mr Blair, who will also attend the donor conference, met local businessmen at a UN school in northern Gaza and discussed the territory's reconstruction needs with them.

The former PM was not meeting any representatives of Hamas, which is regarded by the United States and the European Union as a terrorist organisation.

Earlier, Palestinian medical workers in Gaza said five people were killed and at least one is missing when a smuggling tunnel under the border with Egypt collapsed.

Reports said the cave-in was likely caused by heavy rainfall.

Gazans use tunnels to smuggle in goods that are not available in the territory because of Israel and Egypt's blockade of its borders.

Militants also use the tunnels to bring in weapons.

The ground around Rafah in southern Gaza, where the tunnels are concentrated, is sandy and notoriously unstable.