In Gaza they are burying their dead after the bloodiest flare up of violence in months left four Palestinians dead according to Hamas officials.<br /><br />Hundreds followed the cortege of Rabea Barakeh through the streets of Gaza city. He was one of four militants who were killed three of whom died in an attack on a tunnel near the border with Israel.<br /><br />Israeli military sources said its aircraft targeted the tunnel used, they claimed by militants to mount attacks on Israel. Hours before the air strike a Palestinian was killed in another incident when Israeli forces detonated part of a separate tunnel.<br /><br />Recriminations have followed the clashes with one senior Hamas leader quoted as telling reporters, “ we are not interested in an unjustified escalation but we have the right to defend our people “. <br /><br />Five Israeli soldiers were reported to have been injured in the violence.<br /><br />Israel has accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire agreed last November. One commander said Israel was not seeking an escalation but warned an attack would draw, “a painful response”.
