Post by Salem6 on Feb 11, 2004 10:18:53 GMT
Israeli troops are reported to have shot dead 10 Palestinians, including a police officer and seven militants, during an incursion into Gaza City.
The deaths occurred during exchanges of fire after Israeli tanks moved into an eastern area of the city early on Wednesday, residents said.
At least 18 Palestinians were wounded
Israel says that the purpose of their mission was to stop mortar attacks on Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.
There has been speculation that the Israeli army would launch such raids.
The BBC's James Rodgers says the attacks come ahead of the possible evacuation of the Gaza settlers which was proposed by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, last week.
The incident follows last week's Gaza Strip raid by the Israeli army, when at least eight Palestinians were killed in clashes - then the deadliest incursion for weeks.
Differing accounts
Palestinian witnesses said soldiers backed by tanks rolled into the Shijaia neighbourhood, opening fire on a Palestinian police checkpoint and killing a policeman.
According to the Israeli military, Palestinian gunmen opened fire on troops trying to locate militants launching mortar attacks on Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and rocket attacks on southern Israel, reported Reuters news agency.
The military sources said the Israeli troops returned the fire that resulted in the deaths.
Death toll for recent Gaza raids
9 Feb - four Palestinians dead
6 Feb - eight Palestinians dead
2 Feb - four Palestinians dead
An Israeli military spokesman quoted by AFP said the army had identified "at least 17 hits", without confirming the death toll.
At least 18 Palestinians were wounded in the incident, including a bodyguard of Sheikh Ahmed Yassim, the Hamas spiritual leader, witnesses said.
A political leader of the Islamic militant group vowed revenge for the deaths.
Seven of the dead are said to be fighters, two from Islamic Jihad and five from Hamas.
In a separate incursion, Israeli troops moved into the Rafah refugee camp on the border with Egypt, witnesses said.
Video:-
The BBC's James Rodgers
"The Israelis say they launched the raid to stop attacks on Jewish settlements"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39846000/rm/_39846551_gaza0930_rodgers_vi.ram
The deaths occurred during exchanges of fire after Israeli tanks moved into an eastern area of the city early on Wednesday, residents said.
At least 18 Palestinians were wounded
Israel says that the purpose of their mission was to stop mortar attacks on Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.
There has been speculation that the Israeli army would launch such raids.
The BBC's James Rodgers says the attacks come ahead of the possible evacuation of the Gaza settlers which was proposed by the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, last week.
The incident follows last week's Gaza Strip raid by the Israeli army, when at least eight Palestinians were killed in clashes - then the deadliest incursion for weeks.
Differing accounts
Palestinian witnesses said soldiers backed by tanks rolled into the Shijaia neighbourhood, opening fire on a Palestinian police checkpoint and killing a policeman.
According to the Israeli military, Palestinian gunmen opened fire on troops trying to locate militants launching mortar attacks on Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and rocket attacks on southern Israel, reported Reuters news agency.
The military sources said the Israeli troops returned the fire that resulted in the deaths.
Death toll for recent Gaza raids
9 Feb - four Palestinians dead
6 Feb - eight Palestinians dead
2 Feb - four Palestinians dead
An Israeli military spokesman quoted by AFP said the army had identified "at least 17 hits", without confirming the death toll.
At least 18 Palestinians were wounded in the incident, including a bodyguard of Sheikh Ahmed Yassim, the Hamas spiritual leader, witnesses said.
A political leader of the Islamic militant group vowed revenge for the deaths.
Seven of the dead are said to be fighters, two from Islamic Jihad and five from Hamas.
In a separate incursion, Israeli troops moved into the Rafah refugee camp on the border with Egypt, witnesses said.
Video:-
The BBC's James Rodgers
"The Israelis say they launched the raid to stop attacks on Jewish settlements"
news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/39846000/rm/_39846551_gaza0930_rodgers_vi.ram