Hamas and al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Fatah) militants rallied in the Gaza Strip Monday vowing to avenge nine fellow activists killed over the weekend by Israeli forces.
"The Palestinian people have a right to resist the occupation," a Hamas leader said at the meeting.
The Israeli security service, Shabak, said underground tunnels had been detected that could be used by terrorists to infiltrate Israeli territory, abduct soldiers and plant bombs in cities, including Tel Aviv.
The latest military action in the area was sparked by the abduction of an Israeli corporal, Gilad Shalit, in June. As three Palestinian militant groups claimed responsibility for the incident, Israel sent troops into Gaza to secure the corporal's release.
