Israeli army to relocate soldiers from Gaza border

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli military decided on Sunday to move soldiers out of a staff headquarters near a border crossing with the Gaza Strip that has become a frequent target for Palestinian militants.

Israel's coordinator of activities in the Palestinian territories ordered the temporary transfer of more than a hundred non-combat soldiers and civilian staff from the Erez border crossing due to the constant threat of militant attacks from Gaza, spokesman Peter Lerner said.

The move comes as Egypt tries to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Hamas-controlled territory. Cairo has so far been unable to secure a truce.

Gaza militants fire salvoes almost daily into southern Israeli towns, causing few injuries but sparking widespread panic. On Thursday a Palestinian suicide bomber blew up a truck laden with explosives near the crossing. No Israelis were killed.

The military frequently carries out raids and air strikes in the Gaza Strip and has imposed a blockade around the enclave in what it says is an effort to curb the cross-border attacks.

The decision to remove soldiers was criticised by some lawmakers. Israel's YNet news website quoted legislator Zevulun Orlev as saying it was "a solution of cowardice".

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has so far stopped short of launching a broad invasion into Gaza but is under mounting political pressure to take tougher action.

"Instead of dealing with the problem they flee ... leaving me and my children and pregnant wife to manage," southern Israel resident Shaiki Gavish told Army Radio.

In November, a rocket launched by Gaza militants struck a training base in southern Israel, wounding 35 new conscripts. Parents of some of the injured soldiers asked for the base to be moved, but the army refused and fortified the barracks instead.

Six mortars and rockets were fired into southern Israel on Sunday, the army said.

(Writing by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Elizabeth Piper)