Israeli troops have killed at least 14 Palestinians during an incursion in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian witnesses said Israeli troops backed by tanks entered the Shijaia neighbourhood in Gaza at dawn, opening fire and drawing a response from armed Palestinians.
Medics said 12 Palestinians, including at least six armed men and one policeman, were killed in the city. Another was shot dead during an Israeli raid in the southern Gaza refugee camp of Rafah. Scores were wounded.
It was reported that Hani Abu Skhaila, a senior activist of the Hamas faction and the 17-year-old son of Ahmed Helles, a leader of President Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement are among the dead.
The Israeli army denied opening fire on police and claimed Palestinian "terror cells" had attacked their troops with anti-tank missiles, bombs and gunfire. The army said it hit at least 10 gunmen.
It said its operation "aimed to thwart continued mortar and missile attacks at Israeli targets".