Palestinian Killed, 20 injured in "Israeli" raids on Gaz

Source: Al-Manar, 07-05-2008
A Palestinian resistance fighter was martyred and nearly 20 people were wounded on Wednesday during an 'Israeli' occupation incursion into the southern Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian medics and witnesses.
'Israeli' armored vehicles and bulldozers backed by aerial drones entered the region east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, they said.
The fighter from the Islamic Jihad movement was martyred and five others were wounded in an air strike. An earlier 'Israeli' air strike targeted a house where armed men were meeting, and two Palestinians were hit by 'Israeli' gunfire.
The Islamic Hamas movement, which seized control of Gaza nearly a year ago, confirmed that 10 of the wounded were fighters from its armed wing, and that they had fired mortars and rocket-propelled grenades at the 'Israeli' occupation forces.
Earlier, 'Israeli' occupation tanks and bulldozers rumbled into the southern Gaza Strip, and 'Israel' Air Forces aircraft struck a series of targets. At least 11 Palestinians were wounded in the fighting, according to witnesses and medical officials.
Palestinian witnesses said a total of 25 tanks and armored bulldozers entered Abassan, an area east of Khan Younis, setting off battles with resistance fighters.
Sami al-Najar, a resident of the area, said that some of the wounded were in a house and others were taken away in a private car that came under fire by the 'Israelis'. He also said the occupation army fired at ambulances that came to the scene.
'Israel' has imposed a blockade on Gaza to pressure the area's Hamas rulers, whom it holds responsible for the rocket fire on occupied territories.
After months of fighting, Egypt has been trying to mediate a truce between 'Israel' and Hamas. The Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, is expected in occupied territories early next week to discuss his efforts, though it remains unclear whether he will be able to forge a deal.
Although both sides appear eager to halt the fighting, Hamas also wants 'Israel' to end the blockade, which has caused widespread shortages of fuel and basic goods, and reopen Gaza's borders. 'Israel' wants Hamas to release an 'Israeli' soldier captured by Palestinian resistance fighters nearly two years ago.
While 'Israel' battles Hamas in Gaza, it is conducting talks with the rival Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank. The sides hope to reach a deal by the end of the year, though 'Israel' has warned Abbas that it will not carry out an agreement until he regains control of Gaza. The Palestinians want an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza - areas located on opposite sides of occupied territories.