Qassam rocket fire continues in wake of deadly Gaza clashes

        A Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip struck an open field in the Sha'ar Hanegev region Saturday morning, less than 24 hours after clashes on the Gaza border killed an Israel Defense Forces officer and soldier. The same region was also hit by a Qassam on Friday. There were no reports of damage or injuries in either incident. Rocket fire from Gaza has recently intensified as have reprisal air strikes by the IAF against targets in Gaza. Since Operation Cast Lead, Israel's three-week incursion into Gaza last year, more than 400 rockets and mortars have been fired from Gaza into Israel. On Friday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned Hamas that it would be held responsible for all actions perpetrated by Gaza-based militants against Israel. "We have been used to seeing breakaway [Palestinian] groups doing the firing, and Hamas trying to calm things down. Possibly it is loosening its grip, for all sorts of reasons," Barak told Channel 2 television. "Should that indeed prove to be the case, then there will also be ramifications for Hamas," Barak said. (12,00)