Gaza: IDF kills operatives from group involved in Shalit kidnapping
Palestinians report six people killed, several others injured in three IAF strikes near Khan Younis; five of those killed reportedly operatives from Army of Islam, which was behind kidnapping of IDF soldiers, BBC journalist Alan Johnston. Three Qassams fired at Negev; no injuries
Palestinian sources reported Tuesday the IAF struck Gaza Strip three times, killing six people and injuring several others.
The first strike on a car travelling near the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis killed five Palestinian militants and wounded three others, threatening to upset truce talks between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers. The IAF confirmed attacking a terror cell and hitting its target.
The five gunmen killed in the attack are all believed to be Army of Islam operatives.
The Army of Islam was involved in the kidnapping of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit during a cross-border raid on an army base near Gaza on June 25, 2006 and was also behind the abduction of BBC journalist Alan Johnston on March 12, 2007. He was released nearly four months later.
Among those reportedly killed in the IDF attack are the brother and cousin of Army of Islam commander Mumtaz Dagmoush.
Dr. Moaiya Hassanain of the Palestinian Health Ministry said confirmed five people were killed and three people were wounded, one critically.
The blast occurred as Israel and Hamas were trying to complete a cease-fire deal after months of Egyptian mediation.
Later Tuesday, Palestinian source reported two more IDF strikes near the Dir al-Balah Refugee camp. Two more operatives of the Army of Islam were reportedly wounded. The IDF confirmed the second and third strikes.
Palestinians sources reported that one person died in the Israeli Air Force strike on the central Gaza Strip. The person’s identity is not clear. A short time after the attack an explosion was heard near the northern Gaza Strip town of Khan Younis. The IDF has not yet responded to these reports.
A spokesman for the Islamic Jihad's military wing said that, "Israeli crime will not be ignored," and that “the Zionist enemy wants to show that it wants a ceasefire when it has the upper hand," but that his organization will not allow Israel's activities to go unnoticed.
Several hours after the strikes Palestinians fired three Qassams toward the western Negev city of Sderot. No injuries or damage were reported.
Earlier a mortar fired from Gaza landed in a Negev kibbutz. No injuries were reported in that attack either.
Ali Waked and AP contributed to this report
