Hamas says Israel wounds 2 Gaza gunmen

Israeli soldiers shot and critically wounded two Hamas gunmen on Monday in a fresh round of violence triggered by the firing of mortars at Israel from the Gaza Strip, Hamas officials and medics said.

Hamas said soldiers aimed artillery fire at gunmen who had shot mortars toward Israel, in southern Gaza, before dawn. Medics said both were taken to hospital where they were listed in critical condition.

The Israeli army had no immediate comment. (Reuters)