Palestinian militants claim responsibility for attacks on Israel

Gaza, Jan 18 (Xinhua) Palestinian militants Sunday claimed responsibility for fresh attacks on Israel after the Jewish state's unilateral ceasefire.

The attacks include six rockets fired into Israel, and gunbattles in eastern Gaza City and northern Gaza Strip Sunday morning.

Rockets hit Israel only some seven hours after Israel's unilateral ceasefire took into effect.

Local witnesses said that gun battle also occurred in eastern Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip, which was said to begin when Palestinian militants opened fire at an Israel Defense Forces infantry patrol near the Jabalya refugee camp.

Local medical sources said that they found at least five dead bodies, who might have been killed one week ago, in the northern Gaza Strip near Beit Lahya Sunday morning as Israeli tanks withdrew a bit from the area.

On Sunday morning, Hamas sent a statement to reporters, saying that it congratulated the Palestinian people and the armed resistance for the 'great victory they have achieved in this war.'

The armed resistance led by the armed wing al-Qassam Brigades have caused great losses to the enemy and force it withdraw, said the statement.