The armed wing of the radical Islamic movement Hamas fired mortar shells and missiles on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip, without casualties, earlier this week and announced void a ceasefire in place with the Israelis since last November.
However, key Israeli ministers backed the military's right to conduct limited operations to prevent hostilities from the Palestinian exclave.
"Israel will not hesitate to take tough measures against those who may try to infringe on its sovereignty by missile attacks, assaults on servicemen or any other means," the prime minister's office said in a statement.
Hamas's armed wing said Tuesday they fired 74 mortar shells and 19 missiles "in retaliation for Zionist crimes against our people," referring to Israeli strikes over the weekend that killed nine Palestinians.
The latest fighting 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.
Tel Aviv said his release is key to resuming the peace process with the Palestinian Authority, which stalled since Hamas came to power in January 2006 over the ruling party's refusal to recognize Israel and ultimately renounce violence.
