Gaza: Man killed in IDF shelling
Palestinians say one person killed, four others injured by IDF artillery fire at populated areas in northern Strip. Army official: Terror groups fire from populated areas, responsibility falls on them. IAF fires three missiles at abandoned police base in Abbas' compound; two people suffer from shock
A Palestinian man was killed on Tuesday afternoon and four others were injured in the Beit Lahiya neighborhood of the northern Gaza Strip.
A mother, her toddler and a young girl are among the injured. Palestinian medics described the condition of one of the injured as serious.
Palestinian sources said the injuries were caused by IDF artillery fire on populated areas.
The IDF confirmed it had pounded Beit Lahiya with artillery fire, but said only open Qassam launch pads were hit.
“The Palestinians are familiar with these areas and know the IDF will respond,” a military official said.
“Terror groups fire from populated areas and the responsibility falls on them; the IDF regrets any harm caused to innocent civilians,” he added.
'Intense fire'
Palestinian witnesses reported that IDF shells fell on Beit Lahiya shortly after a cell of three to four members arrived in the neighborhood to fire Qassam rockets.
The man killed was a member of the cell.
Khaled Abu Saada, an ambulance driver of the Palestinian Red Crescent said IDF fire was intense and shells exploded near populated areas.
He said he drove the killed man and four injured people to hospital, and soon after IDF fire ceased.
Five Qassam rockets were fired from northern Gaza at southern Ashkelon on Tuesday. No one was injured.
Also on Tuesday, Israeli aircraft fired three missiles at an abandoned police base in Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' compound, officials said, the first time Israel has attacked a security installation since Hamas took control of the Palestinian government.
Palestinian sources reported that two people suffered from shock in the attack.
Over the weekend, the IDF launched Operation Southern Arrow in the Gaza Strip and officials warned that the army has been instructed to step up artillery fire.
The air force attacked Qassam launch pads in the area, as part of efforts to convey the message that the Palestinian government is responsible for Qassam fire.
The IDF said that should Palestinian policemen happen to be near Qassam launch pads they are bound to be injured.
Also on Tuesday, IAF aircraft fired three missiles at an abandoned police base in
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' presidential compound, officials said, the first time Israel has attacked a security installation since Hamas took control of the Palestinian government.
Hanan Greenberg and AP contributed to the report
