Israeli troops early Friday killed near Gaza City four Palestinians, including two Hamas activists, Palestinians said. According to press reports, Israeli soldiers entered the village of Mujarkha, apparently looking for Adnan al-Ghul, who is in charge of developing Qassam rockets and anti-tank missiles.
In an exchange of fire, the four Palestinian activists were killed and a house was destroyed, Palestinian residents said. The Hamas leader apparently survived. One Israeli soldier was killed and another one was wounded.
Two of the dead were identified as Amran al-Ghul, a relative of Adnan and Muhammad al-Ghul, the son of Adnan. An additional Hamas activist who was in the house was wounded and arrested.
Earlier, an Israeli soldier was wounded in a shooting attack on his car near the West Bank settlement of Beitar Ilit, west of Bethlehem.
The clash in Gaza came as Palestinian factions worked to wrap up details of a three-month halt to violence against Israel. The truce announcement was expected ahead of the arrival this weekend of National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Palestinian officials said. (Albawaba.com)
