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Israeli army 'kills six' in Gaza Israel launches major Gaza raid
(30 minutes later)
At least six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestinian security and medical officials say. At least six Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli troops carried out three air strikes and moved to take control of and encircle the town of Beit Hanoun. In one of Israel's biggest operations in Gaza in recent months, troops carried out three air strikes and moved to encircle the town of Beit Hanoun.
More than 33 people were wounded in the action, which is continuing. More than 35 people were wounded in the action, which is continuing.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed that a "major operation" was under way. Large numbers of tanks and helicopter gunships have been deployed. An Israeli military spokesman said the operation was aimed at stopping rocket fire into Israel. Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned it.
The spokesman said "30 armed Palestinians were hit". The operation was aimed at stopping rocket fire into Israel, he said. Both the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the prime minister, Ismail Haniya, have described the Israeli military action as a massacre.
Both the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the prime minister, Ismail Haniya, have condemned the Israeli military action as a massacre.
Witnesses said Israeli tanks backed by helicopter gunships entered Beit Hanoun overnight, amid heavy exchanges of fire.Witnesses said Israeli tanks backed by helicopter gunships entered Beit Hanoun overnight, amid heavy exchanges of fire.
Heavy fightingHeavy fighting
Sixty tanks were involved in the attack, the AFP agency said.Sixty tanks were involved in the attack, the AFP agency said.
The agency has reported that Israeli soldiers took positions of rooftops during exchanges of fire with militants. The agency has reported that Israeli soldiers took positions on rooftops during exchanges of fire with militants.
Israeli troops entered Gaza in large numbers in a pre-dawn raidIsraeli troops entered Gaza in large numbers in a pre-dawn raid
Israeli bulldozers razed three houses in Beit Hanoun, and another dozen homes were hit by tank shells, the agency reported.Israeli bulldozers razed three houses in Beit Hanoun, and another dozen homes were hit by tank shells, the agency reported.
Statements from militant groups in Gaza say that an Israeli soldier was killed during the operation. The Israeli military has not commented on this.Statements from militant groups in Gaza say that an Israeli soldier was killed during the operation. The Israeli military has not commented on this.
There are reports of fighting in the nearby refugee camps of Jabaliya and town of Beit Lahiya.There are reports of fighting in the nearby refugee camps of Jabaliya and town of Beit Lahiya.
Among those killed are a Palestinian policeman and militants.Among those killed are a Palestinian policeman and militants.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed two Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in a clash in the south near Khan Younis.On Tuesday, Israeli forces killed two Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip in a clash in the south near Khan Younis.
Captured soldierCaptured soldier
Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza since late June, following the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants.Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza since late June, following the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants.
Reports say an inner cabinet of top ministers which met to review the situation in Gaza has decided not to expand the military offensive in Gaza.Reports say an inner cabinet of top ministers which met to review the situation in Gaza has decided not to expand the military offensive in Gaza.
Wednesday's attack comes amid some sign of movement to end the deadlock over Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit, who was captured on 25 June by Palestinian militants.Wednesday's attack comes amid some sign of movement to end the deadlock over Israeli soldier Cpl Gilad Shalit, who was captured on 25 June by Palestinian militants.
A Hamas delegation is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on a possible prisoner exchange in return for his release.A Hamas delegation is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials on a possible prisoner exchange in return for his release.
Egypt has been acting as a mediator since Cpl Shalit's capture.Egypt has been acting as a mediator since Cpl Shalit's capture.
Since his capture, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli army operations in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem.Since his capture, more than 300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli army operations in Gaza and the West Bank, according to Israeli human rights group B'Tselem.