Tel Aviv - Palestinian militants fired a fresh volley of rockets into southern Israel from the Gaza Strip Thursday morning, after a lull in the attacks during the night.

At least seven rockets landed in Israeli territory, most of them in open areas and two in the town of Ofakim, Israel Radio reported.

The Israeli military has reported a significant reduction in the number of rocket and mortar attacks compared to the earlier days of Israel's Gaza offensive - launched December 27 in a bid to end more than seven years of such attacks from Gaza into southern Israel.

A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the radio that Israel had already delivered a "tough blow" to Hamas, but said the radical Islamic movement ruling Gaza still had abilities and now the Israeli leadership needed to decide whether to continue the offensive or not.

Israel meanwhile was to observe a humanitarian lull in the fighting also Thursday, and announced it would halt its attacks from 11 am to 2 pm (0900 - 1200 GMT) to allow civilians to stock up on supplies, as well as rescue and aid workers to evacuate injured people to hospitals and distribute food aid. (dpa)