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Palestinian militant killed in Israeli airstrike

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  • Palestinian militant killed, another wounded in Israeli airstrike
  • Palestinian sources claim militants were trying to fire rockets into Israel
  • Attack comes day after cease-fire ends between Hamas government, Israel
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GAZA CITY (CNN) -- A Palestinian militant was killed and another wounded Saturday by an Israeli airstrike, Palestinian sources said, a day after the truce between Hamas and Israel expired.

Israel launched the airstrike against militants attempting to launch rockets from Gaza into Israel, the Palestinian sources said.

A tenuous six-month truce between the Hamas government in Gaza and Israel expired Friday. Under the Egyptian-brokered deal, Hamas agreed to end militant attacks on Israel from Gaza, and Israel agreed to halt raids inside the territory and ease its blockade on humanitarian goods.

In reality, the truce started to break down two months ago. Rocket attacks by militants became more frequent, and Israel resumed airstrikes inside Gaza.

In the past few weeks, an estimated 200 rockets have fallen inside Israel.

A spokesman for Hamas' military wing Friday vowed to resume the struggle.

"This ceasefire was temporary," said the masked spokesman, who gave his name only as Abu Obaida. "Now that it's over, we will carry on our fight against the occupation."

Israeli officials have said they will respond firmly to any rocket fire.

"We are not afraid of a big operation in Gaza," said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. "If the situation demands it, we will act."

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