Israel rounds up Hamas leaders

Israel rounded up more than 30 Hamas leaders in the West Bank today, including a Cabinet minister, taking its conflict with Hamas over daily Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza to a new level.

The move drew condemnation from the moderate Palestinian president and threats of punishing Hamas attacks inside Israel.

The arrest of 33 Hamas leaders reflected an Israeli decision to target the Islamist group's political leadership - but not necessarily in lethal airstrikes.

On Thursday, Israel carried out several airstrikes in Gaza, all directed at Hamas training bases and command posts.

A huge plume of black smoke rose over Gaza City after a mid-afternoon strike, but there were no serious injuries, Palestinian medics said.

More than 40 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli raids over the past 10 days, and an Israeli woman was killed by a rocket on Monday.

The rocket barrages have severely disrupted life in the area near Gaza. Thousands of frightened residents have fled.

Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz said the arrests were part of Israel's attempt to neutralise Hamas.

"Arrests are better than shooting, " he told Israeli Army Radio.