Israel promises harsh response to deadly rocket attack

Israel today promised a punishing response to the first deadly Palestinian rocket attack on the Israeli town of Sderot since the Gaza Strip evacuation last year, even as Palestinian leaders and international envoys pursued diplomatic efforts to spur deadlocked peacemaking.

The home-made rocket exploded about 350 feet from the home of Israel’s defence minister in Sderot, a favourite target of the militants because it is less than a mile from the Gaza fence.