Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that Israel has no intention of turning a blind eye to a Qassam rocket strike earlier in the day near a Sderot day care center, adding that the Israel Defense Forces has been instructed to strike at all those involved in the rocket fire.

Twelve children suffered from shock after the strike on the southern town, and were evacuated to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon for treatment.

"We view this attack very gravely," said the prime minister. "The IDF has been instructed to destroy every rocket launcher and to strike all those involved in the fire."

Olmert made the comments during a joint press conference with visiting Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer in Jerusalem.

"We will continue to invest in reinforcement of educational institutions along the border with Gaza, and we will do everything necessary in order to create a stronger sense of security for the residents, who are living in an intolerable reality," added Olmert.

Hamas spokesman Taher Nunu called for the international community to prevent Israel from
carrying out harsh reprisals. "We are taking this new threat by Olmert seriously," he said. "We are warning of coming massacres against the people in Gaza."...