The Israeli army killed five Palestinians - including a 12-year-old boy - during the second deadly Gaza Strip raid in as many days today, as its troops continued their sweep of the West Bank, Palestinian security sources said.
Mohammad al-Zaanin (12), Nidal Akrim (22) Zuhair Abu Jarrad (15) and Abdelqader Abu Kas (17) were killed in Beit Hanun, while Khalil Qarmut (31) was killed in the neighbouring Jabalya refugee camp, the sources said.
Twenty other Palestinians were wounded during exchanges of fire in the dawn operation mounted by some 50 Israeli tanks, accompanied by four bulldozers and two combat helicopters.
Five of the wounded were in serious condition, Palestinian medical sources said.
The Israeli military said the army had launched "a broad operation of searches and arrests of wanted Palestinian militants not only in Beit Hanun but also in Beit Lahia and in the Jabalya camp."
The army said infantry units backed by helicopter gunships "launched an offensive against Beit Hanun overnight and occupied positions from which Qassam rockets were fired on Israeli territory."
Meanwhile, the army arrested 10 suspected militants in the West Bank, which it reoccupied almost one year ago
An undercover army unit also moved into the centre of the West Bank city of Ramallah and opened fire on a car, whose occupants just managed to escape, Palestinian security sources said.
AFP