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Israeli army 'kills six' in Gaza | Israeli army 'kills six' in Gaza |
(20 minutes later) | |
At least six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian security and medical officials say. | At least six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian security and medical officials say. |
Israeli troops carried out three air strikes and moved to take control of and encircle the town of Beit Hanoun. | Israeli troops carried out three air strikes and moved to take control of and encircle the town of Beit Hanoun. |
More than 33 people were wounded in the action, which is continuing. | More than 33 people were wounded in the action, which is continuing. |
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed that a "major operation" was under way. Large numbers of tanks and helicopter gunships have been deployed. | An Israeli military spokesman confirmed that a "major operation" was under way. Large numbers of tanks and helicopter gunships have been deployed. |
The spokesman said "30 armed Palestinians were hit". The operation was aimed at stopping rocket fire into Israel, he said. | The spokesman said "30 armed Palestinians were hit". The operation was aimed at stopping rocket fire into Israel, he said. |
Both the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the prime minister, Ismail Haniya, have condemned the Israeli military action as a massacre. | |
Witnesses said Israeli tanks backed by helicopter gunships entered Beit Hanoun overnight, amid heavy exchanges of fire. | Witnesses said Israeli tanks backed by helicopter gunships entered Beit Hanoun overnight, amid heavy exchanges of fire. |
Heavy fighting | Heavy fighting |
Sixty tanks were involved in the attack, the AFP agency said. | Sixty tanks were involved in the attack, the AFP agency said. |
The agency has reported that Israeli soldiers took positions of rooftops during exchanges of fire with militants. | The agency has reported that Israeli soldiers took positions of rooftops during exchanges of fire with militants. |
Israeli troops entered Gaza in large numbers in a pre-dawn raid | |
Israeli bulldozers razed three houses in Beit Hanoun, and another dozen homes were hit by tank shells, the agency reported. | Israeli bulldozers razed three houses in Beit Hanoun, and another dozen homes were hit by tank shells, the agency reported. |
Statements from militant groups in Gaza say that an Israeli soldier was killed during the operation. The Israeli military has not commented on this. | Statements from militant groups in Gaza say that an Israeli soldier was killed during the operation. The Israeli military has not commented on this. |
There are reports of fighting in the nearby refugee camps of Jabaliya and town of Beit Lahiya. | There are reports of fighting in the nearby refugee camps of Jabaliya and town of Beit Lahiya. |
Among those killed are a Palestinian policeman and militants. | Among those killed are a Palestinian policeman and militants. |
On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed two Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in a clash in the south near Khan Younis. | On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed two Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in a clash in the south near Khan Younis. |
Captured soldier | Captured soldier |
Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza since late June, following the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants. | Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza since late June, following the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants. |
Reports say an inner cabinet of top ministers which met to review the situation in Gaza has decided not to expand the military offensive in Gaza. | Reports say an inner cabinet of top ministers which met to review the situation in Gaza has decided not to expand the military offensive in Gaza. |
Wednesday's attack comes amid some sign of movement to end the deadlock over Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit, who was captured on 25 June by Palestinian militants. | Wednesday's attack comes amid some sign of movement to end the deadlock over Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit, who was captured on 25 June by Palestinian militants. |
A Hamas delegation is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on a possible prisoner exchange in return for his release. | A Hamas delegation is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on a possible prisoner exchange in return for his release. |
Egypt has been acting as a mediator since Cpl Shalit's capture. | Egypt has been acting as a mediator since Cpl Shalit's capture. |
Since his capture, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli army operations in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. | Since his capture, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli army operations in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem. |