IDF kills 6 gunmen in Gaza

Israeli troops operating east of Gaza City engage in hand-to-hand combat with Hamas, PRC gunmen; Palestinian sources report six killed in gunbattle, Israeli airstrike. IDF spokesman confirms operation, says none of the soldiers injured
Ali Waked and Reuters

Six Hamas and Popular Resistance Committees gunmen were killed in a pre-dawn Israeli operation in the Sajaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City on Wednesday, Hamas and Palestinian medical officials said.

 

Four of the men killed were Hamas members – including Ahad Shimali, a senior commander of the organization's armed wing in the area, and two belonged to the PRC.

 

The Israeli army confirmed that troops were operating in the area near Gaza City and that they had fired, together with Israeli aircraft, at gunmen who approached the soldiers.

 

The troops were operating "against the terror infrastructure" in the area, the army spokesman said. No casualties were reported among the troops.

 

A spokesman for Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades vowed that the group would retaliate against Israel. "The day will come when we shall avenge the deaths of our shahids who were killed by the Jews, murderers of the prophets," he declared.