Strong chance of an uptick in violence in...>

MIDEAST: Strong chance of an uptick in violence in the Levant as Israel launches

targeted rocket strikes on Syria and Gaza. 

- Rockets used in successful assassination of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)

leader Baha Abu al-Ata in Gaza, and unsuccessful attempt on PIJ political leader

Akram Al-Ajouri In Damascus, Syria. Israel claimed Gaza strike but was silent on

Syrian strike. 

- These attacks saw retaliatory rocket launches from Gaza into Israel. 

- Attacks come as political leaders in Israel struggle to form a gov't following

inconclusive April and September elections. 

- Raises risk of conflict between Israel and Iran in the wake of the

intensification of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. PIJ, like related groups

Hamas and Hezbollah, receives support from Iran. 

- Israeli gov't has come into criticism from hardliners in the country arguing

recent rocket attacks from Gaza are going unpunished. Assassination strikes

could be seen as attempt to shore up Israeli PM Netenyahu's base given prospect

of his ouster should rival Benny Gantz seek to form a minority gov't.