TEL AVIV, February 6 (RIA Novosti) - Israeli Vice Premier Haim Ramon said on Wednesday his country would continue its economic blockade of the Gaza Strip in addition to military strikes against Palestinian militants in response to Hamas terrorist attacks.

Israel cut off virtually all shipments into Gaza three weeks ago, following a surge in Qassam rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip against southern Israel.

"Israel will continue to use the economic weapon against the Gaza Strip," Ramon said in an interview with Israel Radio.

Palestinian militants fired late Tuesday and early Wednesday more than 30 rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot and other communities bordering Hamas-controlled Gaza, wounding at least six Israeli civilians.

The Israeli army responded with pinpoint airstrikes, killing at least nine Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours.

"We need to understand there is a war in the south," said Ramon, who is known as a close confidant of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. "The war against Hamas has to be fought on all fronts."

Israel is also concerned about a new threat of terrorist attacks conducted by Palestinian militants who may infiltrate southern communities through the border with the Gaza Strip.

A suicide bombing on Monday in a shopping center in the Israeli town of Dimona, about 35 miles from the border with Gaza, killed a 73-year-old Israeli woman and wounded 11 people. Hamas has claimed responsibility, but said the attackers came from the West Bank, not from Gaza.