Report: IDF fire in gaza kills 8
Palestinians report death toll in IDF operation in northern Gaza Strip up to eight, including one boy, three teens; 28 wounded. IDF says gunmen using civilians as shields
The Palestinian News Agency Maan reported Friday that eight people were killed and 28 others wounded in a clash between IDF forces and Palestinian gunmen in the northern Gaza Strip.
According to medical sources in the Strip, a 12-year old boy and three youths, ages 17 to 19, were among the dead.
The IDF said it was looking into the allegations, adding that in several cases during the day, Palestinian gunmen were firing at IDF soldiers while using civilian crowds, including children, as shields.
The IDF further reported an anti-tank missile was fired on the troops. No casualties were reported among IDF soldiers.
Earlier Friday morning, Givati and Armor Corps forces reportedly entered the al-Bureij refugee camp area with six reinforced vehicles and two bulldozers.
The forces are operating along the security fence in an effort to uncover weapons and terror infrastructure, but Israel has refrained from launching a broad operation inside the coastal enclave.
During the early hours of Friday morning Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis area killed at least two Hamas terrorists in Gaza and wounded seven others.
The IDF confirmed both the air strikes and the fact that the pilots identified a hit.
Friday afternoon saw a Palestinian sniper in Gaza open fire at Israeli farmers working in the Kibbutz Nir Oz fields. No injuries were reported but a tractor was damaged.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in response to the attack that Hamas was responsible for terror originating from the Gaza Strip and will be liable for the "unavoidable consequences" of its actions
.
"We don't care which terrorist is a member of which organization," said Olmert. "Hamas is the one running the show in Gaza these days."
Roee Nahmias and the news agencies contributed to this report
