Post by Salem6 on Aug 14, 2007 9:27:34 GMT
Four Palestinians have died during an Israeli incursion into the southern Gaza Strip.
Hamas militants attending the recent funeral of a fellow militant
The Israeli military said three gunmen were killed by Israeli fire - a fourth was killed on the ground near the town of Khan Yunis.
But Palestinians said two of the dead were civilians, including a 60-year-old woman, and 14 people were injured.
It was one of the biggest Israeli incursions since the Hamas movement seized control of Gaza in mid-June.
The Israeli operation involved ground forces and aircraft. Palestinian reports speak of about 20 tanks and armoured personnel carriers being involved.
It began early on Tuesday morning.
An Israeli army spokesman said its aim was to stop militants digging tunnels and firing rockets into Israel.
The Hamas takeover of Gaza has left the Palestinian territories split and under the control of the rival factions - Hamas in Gaza, and Fatah in the parts of the West Bank not controlled by Israel.
Israel and the international community has backed Palestinian Authority President and Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas, while increasing the isolation of Hamas and completely cutting off Gaza and its 1.5 million residents.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6945299.stm