Source: Agencies, 23-11-2006
"Israeli" forces have killed eight Palestinians including six armed men in raids in the Gaza Strip.
The killings on Thursday came as a 57-year-old woman blew herself up near "Israeli" soldiers near the Jabalya refugee camp, slightly wounding three of them. The armed wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack in an internet statement.
An "Israeli" air strike on a car in northern Gaza killed three fighters from the Popular Resistance Committee, including the local commander.
Three other fighters were killed in separate attacks. Hospital officials said a civilian was shot dead by "Israeli" troops east of the town of Beit Lahiya.
Another 19-year-old civilian was killed when "Israeli" tanks firing machineguns stormed a housing project in Beit Lahiya.
Human bomb
Hamas claimed responsibility for the attempted suicide (martyrdom) bombing and identified the woman as Fatima al-Nejar, a mother-of-nine.
The "Israeli" army said soldiers spotted the woman approaching them with an explosive device and threw a stun grenade at her. The woman detonated the device, killing herself.
During the day, "Israeli" troops periodically fought gun battles with Palestinian fighters.
"Israel" said troops were operating in suburbs around Beit Lahiya, but denied forces were in densely-populated areas.
Two "Israeli" soldiers were also wounded by anti-tank missiles, the army said.
Residents said the incursion into Beit Lahiya was one of the biggest since "Israel" launched its offensive in late June after fighters, including Hamas members, abducted a soldier in a cross-border raid from Gaza.
The objective was then broadened to target rocket-launching squads, who have killed two "Israelis" in the past week. Fighters say the rockets are a response to army assaults.
"Israel" has killed nearly 380 Palestinians in Gaza, about half of them civilians, since it began the offensive, hospital officials and residents say. Three soldiers have been killed.