Israeli fire kills 2 in southern Gaza

Ma'an
Israeli artillery fire killed two Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip late Friday afternoon, witnesses said.

Others sustained injuries amid fierce clashes between resistance fighters and Israeli forces east of Khan Younis, onlookers said.

Muawiya Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, confirmed that two were killed. Hassanein said ambulances were dispatched to the area to evacuate victims, but Israeli forces denied them access.

Palestinian fire also injured three soldiers, who were evacuated by helicopter from Khan Younis, witnesses said. Al-Arabiya TV, meanwhile, reported that two soldiers were killed.

Locals told Ma'an that explosions rattled the Ad-Dughma and Abu Tu'eima neighborhoods of Abasan Al-Jadida. Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters were reported in the same area.

There were other reports that Palestinians launched mortar shells toward Israeli towns in the western Negev.

An Israeli military spokeswoman had no immediate comment.

Hours earlier, the army said a projectile struck the Negev Regional Council area, causing no damage or injury.

More than 10 such projectiles have been fired into southern Israel over the past week, according to the army.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian child was injured when Israeli forces opened fire near northern Gaza's Erez crossing. Saeed Abed Al-Aziz Hamdan, 15, was moderately injured after he sustained gunshot wounds, medics said.

Onlookers told Ma'an that an Israeli watchtower installed near the Erez crossing opened fire at the child, who was collecting stones nearby.

On Thursday, two Gaza residents were injured by Israeli fire in Beit Lahiya and Rafah.  Full story