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Palestinians die in Israeli raid Palestinians die in Gaza violence
(about 8 hours later)
At least five Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip as troops pressed on with operations against armed groups.At least five Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military action in the Gaza Strip as troops pressed on with operations against armed groups.
Two militants were killed in an air strike in Beit Lahiya and two others died in armed clashes with troops. Two militants were killed in an air strike in Beit Lahiya and two others died in armed clashes with troops. Another man was also shot dead.
A man who may have been a civilian or a militant was also shot dead. The deaths came as a 57-year-old female suicide bomber attacked Israeli troops in Jabaliya.
A 57-year-old female suicide bomber attacked Israeli troops in Jabaliya. It was not clear if she detonated her bomb or was killed by an Israeli grenade. Three Israeli troops were slightly wounded in the blast.
Two soldiers were lightly wounded in the blast, Israeli army radio said. Governing Palestinian party Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack by the bomber, named as Fatma Najar. The Israeli army says that a group of soldiers became suspicious of an approaching woman.
There are conflicting reports as to whether one of Thursday's casualties, 20-year-old Muhammad Jarjawi, had been fighting Israeli troops or was a bystander. They threw a stun grenade at her but she managed to detonate explosives that she was carrying.
Governing Palestinian party Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack by the bomber and named her as Fatma Najar, a mother and grandmother.
Israeli operation
In Gaza, Israeli troops continued operations which they say are aimed at ending rocket fire into Israel.
There are conflicting reports as to whether one of the casualties, 20-year-old Muhammad Jarjawi, had been fighting Israeli troops or was a bystander.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said troops had opened fire on a "suspicious person" in a block of flats near where tanks had taken up positions.An Israeli army spokeswoman said troops had opened fire on a "suspicious person" in a block of flats near where tanks had taken up positions.
Two militants from the Popular Resistance Committees were struck by a missile as they were driving in their car.Two militants from the Popular Resistance Committees were struck by a missile as they were driving in their car.
The circumstances of the other two deaths - in clashes with troops - have not been established.The circumstances of the other two deaths - in clashes with troops - have not been established.
Rocket fire
About 1,000 Israeli troops have been deployed in northern Gaza, as part of an ongoing offensive in the strip since June.About 1,000 Israeli troops have been deployed in northern Gaza, as part of an ongoing offensive in the strip since June.
Despite their efforts, militant groups have continued to fire home-made rockets at Israeli targets outside the narrow, heavily populated Gaza Strip.Despite their efforts, militant groups have continued to fire home-made rockets at Israeli targets outside the narrow, heavily populated Gaza Strip.
Militant offer
On Thursday, Palestinian militant groups offered to stop firing rockets into Israel in exchange for a cessation of all Israeli attacks, a Palestinian official said.
The offer came during a meeting between Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya and Islamic Jihad leader Khader Habib, the official said.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says the offer is nothing new and Israel has rejected such overtures from what it regards as terrorists in the past.
But this restatement of the ceasefire offer may come as some small encouragement to those working to try to halt the bloodshed, our correspondent adds.
On Wednesday, Israeli leaders resisted military pressure for stepped-up operations in northern Gaza.On Wednesday, Israeli leaders resisted military pressure for stepped-up operations in northern Gaza.
They did approve attacks on "institutions" of the militant Palestinian governing party Hamas, as well as targeted killings of wanted militants.They did approve attacks on "institutions" of the militant Palestinian governing party Hamas, as well as targeted killings of wanted militants.
Israel evacuated its settlements and military bases in Gaza last year, but the military renewed ground operations after militants captured an Israeli soldier in a border raid in June.Israel evacuated its settlements and military bases in Gaza last year, but the military renewed ground operations after militants captured an Israeli soldier in a border raid in June.
Since then, Israeli troops have killed about 400 Palestinians in Gaza, roughly half of them civilians. Three Israeli soldiers have died in operations and two civilians were killed by rocket fire. Since June, Israeli troops have killed about 400 Palestinians in Gaza, roughly half of them civilians. Three Israeli soldiers have died in operations and two civilians were killed by rocket fire.