Israel says it will continue its bombardment of populated Palestinian areas in retaliation for militant rocket strikes into Israeli territory, despite the death of a child in the latest shelling. Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister, said on Tuesday Israel would stand by its new policy of firing artillery shells into Gaza in an effort to stop rocket fire at Israel. "The role of the Israeli army is to defend Israeli civilians, combat terrorism and prevent rocket attacks," Livni told public radio. "As long as Palestinians fire at residential area, the army must reply."An Israeli military spokesman echoed Livni's comments. "There has been no change in policy," he said on customary condition of anonymity. "We will continue to fight them intensely, while trying to avoid hurting innocent civilians."