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Three die in northern Gaza raid Four die in raid on northern Gaza
(about 2 hours later)
Three Palestinians have been killed in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza on the second day of a major Israeli operation, hospital officials say. Four Palestinians have been killed in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza on the second day of a major Israeli operation, hospital officials say.
Eight Palestinians - including five militants - and an Israeli soldier died during clashes on Wednesday.Eight Palestinians - including five militants - and an Israeli soldier died during clashes on Wednesday.
In Thursday's violence, a 70-year-old Palestinian civilian died, hospital officials said. The identities of two others reported dead were not clear. Israel says the operation - one of its biggest in Gaza in recent months - is to stop rocket fire into Israel.
The raid is one of Israel's biggest operations in Gaza in recent months. The Israeli military has asked all men over 16 to gather in a town square for questioning.
On Wednesday, troops carried out three air strikes and troops, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships, moved to encircle the town of Beit Hanoun. The move was intended to "avoid friction and reduce shooting incidents", Reuters news agency quoted a spokeswoman as saying.
"I have no doubt that the vast majority will then be allowed to return home unhindered," she said.
'Massacre'
The raid began on Wednesday, when troops carried out three air strikes and then, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships, moved to encircle the town of Beit Hanoun.
Press despair at Gaza raid Profile: Gaza StripPress despair at Gaza raid Profile: Gaza Strip
An Israeli military spokesman said the operation was aimed at stopping rocket fire into Israel.
But on Thursday militant fire continued, with two rockets fired into Israel, the army said. No injuries were reported.
As the operation continued into its second day, helicopter gunships fired missiles onto the town, tanks patrolled the streets, snipers took up rooftop positions and troops conducted house-to-house searches, the Associated Press reported.As the operation continued into its second day, helicopter gunships fired missiles onto the town, tanks patrolled the streets, snipers took up rooftop positions and troops conducted house-to-house searches, the Associated Press reported.
'Massacre' A 70-year-old Palestinian civilian was one of those killed on Thursday. The identities of three others reported dead were not clear.
But the Israeli army said militant fire had continued, with two rockets fired over the border. No injuries were reported.
Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned the Israeli raid.Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned the Israeli raid.
Both the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the prime minister, Ismail Haniya, have described the Israeli military action as a massacre. Both the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, and the Prime Minister, Ismail Haniya, have described the Israeli military action as a massacre.
An Israeli soldier was killed during the Beit Hanoun raid The Israeli army confirmed the death of one of its soldiers some hours after Palestinian militant groups issued statements saying they had killed an Israeli.An Israeli soldier was killed during the Beit Hanoun raid The Israeli army confirmed the death of one of its soldiers some hours after Palestinian militant groups issued statements saying they had killed an Israeli.
Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza since late June, following the capture of an Israeli soldier on 25 June 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 on 25 June in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants.
Since the capture of Cpl Gilad Shalit, 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 the capture of Cpl Gilad Shalit, 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.