Israeli strike in Gaza kills two, seven injured

Israeli tanks fired shells on a group of Hamas militants in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing two and injuring seven more, Palestinian doctors and local residents said.

The army spokesman confirmed a strike in the area of Beit Lahiya, saying the target was a group of militants who were about to fire mortar shells.

Local residents said that Israeli tanks fired seven shells toward the Palestinian militants. Two Palestinians were killed and seven wounded, Palestinian doctors said.

Israel frequently carries out strikes in the agricultural area in an effort to stop rocket and mortar shell launchings against Israel.

The casualties were all members of the Islamic Hamas group, which rules the Gaza Strip since seizing control in violent fighting in June. Hamas has in recent weeks increased its mortar shellings on Israel, but is rarely involved in the rocket attacks.

Gaza City, Wednesday, AP