Israel attacks targets in Gaza

by Brian Turner

The Israeli military Thursday cracked down on Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza in response to what Israel called an escalation in rocket attacks.

Seven Palestinian fighters and two civilians were killed in ground fighting and airstrikes, according to Palestinian security sources.

Five of the militants and the two civilians died when an Israeli tank fired a shell into a house near the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, Hamas security sources said.

Israel Defense Forces had no information on any casualties.

IDF said a gun battle began when Palestinian militants fired on Israeli troops operating in Khan Yunis. The militants then ran into the house, which was hit by an Israeli tank shell, IDF said.

Two fighters were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes, one near Gaza City and the other near Rafah in southern Gaza, Palestinian security sources said. Three other Hamas militants were injured in the Rafah strike, the sources said.

Israel also targeted areas near Khan Yunis, Rafah and Gaza City with at least four airstrikes, according to IDF.

Discuss this in the Interfaith forums

Story link: Israel attacks targets in Gaza

Add to Bookmarks: