Report: Girl killed by IDF fire in Gaza
Palestinian sources report that IDF forces exchange heavy fire with Hamas, Islamic Jihad gunmen in northern Gaza. One Palestinian girl killed, nine others wounded in clashes, medics say
Israeli forces entered a northern Gaza town early Saturday and seized a local Hamas leader from his home amid heavy fighting with Palestinian gunmen, Hamas members and a health official said. The wanted man's 14-year-old daughter was killed in the clashes.
The fighting erupted in the town of Beit Lahiya, near the border with Israel. The army confirmed the raid, saying its forces clashed with Palestinian militants.
The apparent target was Hassan Marouf, a local Hamas leader. The fighting took place around his house, and Israeli forces withdrew after detaining him, according to members of Hamas. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were close to the fighting and feared possible retribution from Israel.
The army would not comment on Marouf's arrest.
His 14-year old daughter, Mariam, was killed by shrapnel from heavy machine guns, said Moawiya Hassanain, a senior official in the Palestinian Health Ministry. Her mother was wounded in the clashes.
Nine other Palestinians were also wounded in the fighting, three of them critically, Hassanain said.
The fighting began before dawn when an Israeli undercover force entered an area of northern Gaza near the border with Israel. Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants fired at the force, using machine guns, mortars and homemade bombs, the Hamas members said.
A dozen of Israeli tanks and aircraft provided cover during the clashes, the army said. It said its aircraft launched two missile strikes against the militants.
The sound of explosions could be heard across northern Gaza.
