RAMALLAH [MENL] -- Most Palestinians cite the Islamic insurgency for Israel's decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

A survey reported that a majority of Palestinians attribute strikes by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to the decision by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank and evict their 10,000 Jewish residents. The poll, in an endorsement of Hamas policy, said that nearly half of those surveyed want the attacks to continue.

"[Hamas] rockets have forced Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, and they will end the occupation in the future," Hamas chief Mahmoud Zahar said.

On Tuesday, Hamas gunners fired a Kassam-class short-range missile into Israel. The missile landed in the Israeli city of Sderot. There were no reports of injuries.