JERUSALEM — Israel has reported another sharp increase in the Palestinian insurgency.

The Israel Security Agency has reported a doubling of Palestinian strikes in March amid the mini-war between the Gaza Strip and the Jewish state.

ISA said 229 attacks took place from the West Bank, Gaza Strip and around Israel in March, compared to 100 in February.

“The surge in the number of attacks was brought about by the escalation in southern Israel,” ISA said. “During the recent round of violence, more than 200 rockets and mortar shells were fired towards Israel.”

In a statement on April 8, ISA reported 157 attacks from the Gaza Strip, a five-fold increase from February. There were no Israeli casualties reported from the Gaza-based operations.

“Throughout March 2012, 173 rockets and 19 mortar shells were launched towards Israel in 156 attacks, compared to 36 rockets and one mortar shell in February in 28 attacks,” the agency said.

In the West Bank, 43 attacks, most of them firebombs, were reported in March, up from 42 during the previous month. Two Israeli security officers were stabbed in the Palestinian operations. (Copyright © 2012 East West Services, Inc. 04/10/12)