4 Palestinians killed in Gaza operation
Three Israeli airstrikes in Gaza leave four Palestinian gunmen dead, another three critically injured. Meanwhile, four soldiers lightly wounded by antitank missile during extensive IDF operation in southern Gaza town of Khan Younis
Three Palestinian gunmen, members of Islamic Jihad's military wing the al-Quds brigades, were killed in an Israeli airstrike Tuesday, after they opened fire at IDF forces operating near the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Two other IAF strikes left another Islamic Jihad gunman dead and three Popular Resistance Committees' members critically injured, and wounded four Palestinians, according to local sources.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said about 10 tanks and armored vehicles entered the Hamas-run territory as part of a routine operation against Palestinian gunmen.
In the course of the operation, gunmen fired an antitank missile at Golani and Armored corps forces, wounding four soldiers.
The troops were lightly injured and evacuated to Soroka hospital in Beersheba for further treatment.
Eyewitnesses said that IDF forces in the area have taken over several houses in the town and arrested a few locals. Furthermore, the road connecting Khan Younis and Rafah has been closed.
Heavy gunfights between IDF forces and Palestinian gunmen continued to take place in the region.
IDF sources stressed Tuesday that the operation in Khan Younis was not part of a large-scale incursion in the Strip, but part of defensive activities within Gaza territory against terror cells.
The sources also admitted that the current operation revealed Hamas' technical improvement, and the group's ability to act in an organized manner against Israeli forces.
Hanan Greenberg, Yonat Atlas and news agencies contributed to the report
