Israeli helicopter gun ships struck at Palestinian targets in the Gaza Strip last night, in response to a mortar attack that critically wounded a Jewish baby and lightly injured his mother in the settlement of Atzmona earlier in the day.

The IDF said the action was the latest demonstration of a new policy by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of rapid military response to Palestinian attacks. "This is a reaction to the brutal attack against a baby and its mother," an Israeli military statement said. "All targets are directly linked to terrorist activity against Israel. All those responsible will be punished."

The IDF action, which started at eight p.m., lasted 30 minutes

"Israel has no choice but to act to thwart terrorist attacks" - Prime Minister Sharon

and included a land-based launch of anti-tank missiles at PA police and Force 17 installations. An arms store near Yasser Arafat's Gaza residence and a PA coast guard installation were also targeted.

Hospitals in Rafah, close to the Egyptian border, admitted at least 30 people injured in the attack, including policemen and civilians. Other towns hit were Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis. Palestinian media reported a total of 77 people injured.

Voice of Palestine Radio broadcast a message to Prime Minister Sharon after the bombings: "We will fight to the last baby. We are not afraid of the Israeli bombs." Earlier, Palestinians issued a statement saying that the mortar attack on Atzmona was only the first step in the revenge of Force 17 members for the abduction of their friends from Palestinian Authority areas by the IDF's elite Duvdevan unit.

In defense of the IDF military action, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office stated "The Palestinian Authority is not taking action to thwart attacks and leaves Israel with no choice but to act consistently and decisively to thwart terrorist attacks."

Mortar attack on Atzmona critically wounds boy
The Israeli action came hours after the mortar attack on the Atzmona settlement in Gush Katif in the Gaza Strip. Fifteen-month old Ariel Yered was wounded in the head and spine by shrapnel and his mother Leah was wounded in the chest and hand when three mortar bombs landed in their backyard. Doctors at Beer Sheva's Soroka hospital described the boy's condition as critical yet stable, but noted a marked improvement overnight.

A group calling itself Hizbullah-Palestine claimed responsibility for the mortar attack. This group was among three organizations to claim credit for last month's bombing of a school bus in Gaza that left two Israelis dead and several children injured.

Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Maariv that the mortar attack on Atzmona was "very serious," and that Israel would act against those who carry out terrorist attacks, those who plan the attacks and the people that send them.

Almost immediately after the IDF action, Palestinians fired four mortar shells into the Gaza Strip community of Netzarim. There were no injuries.

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