Israeli forces withdrew from the Gaza Strip overnight after an operation in which they killed 11 Palestinian fighters during heavy fighting, sources on both sides confirmed on Friday. An Israeli army spokesman said the raid in central Gaza Strip around the Mughazi refugee camp, and another in the northern part of the territory, had ended and troops were back in Israel.
Of the 11 Palestinian fighters killed, six belonged to the armed wing of Hamas. More than 25 Palestinians were injured during the operation, including five seriously, local medical sources said. Two Israeli troops were also injured in the central Gaza Strip incursion, witnesses said, according to AFP.
Six houses were damaged by Israeli fire and a former Palestinian security station completely destroyed in fighting around Mughazi where army bulldozers ripped up two hectares of farm land, locals said.
