- Title: GAZA: Israeli airstrike on Gaza kills three Palestinian militants.
- Date: 30th May 2006
- Summary: WIDE SHOT MEN CARRYING BODIES INTO AMBULANCE; AMBULANCE DRIVING AWAY WIDE SHOT EXTERIOR OF HOSPITAL; AMBULANCE DRIVING INTO HOSPITAL; MEN CARRYING WOUNDED INTO HOSPITAL
- Embargoed: 14th June 2006 13:00
- Keywords:
- Reuters ID: LVAB7DYUERKAQJ77Y4N0PEP5H8PV
- Story Text: An Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile during a gun battle between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Monday night (May 29), killing three and causing several casualties, local witnesses said.
The dead gunmen from the Islamic Jihad group were among a number of militants trying to launch missiles into Israel. Another militant was wounded, witnesses said.
Five other civilians were also wounded in the incident including two ambulance staff, two radio reporters and a cameraman working for the Palestinian television station of Ramatan.
The Israeli army confirmed the incident and said that troops had spotted militants trying to prepare to launch rockets at Israeli targets.
An army spokeswoman said that an Israeli force spotted militants on their way to launch missiles into Israel. The force exchanged fire with the militants and later an air force helicopter was also involved.
She said this was the first time Israeli troops had held a gun battle with militants while inside the Gaza Strip. There were no casualties among the Israeli force, she added.
The army spokeswoman said that it was not the first time that troops had ventured into the Gaza Strip since Israel withdrew from the coastal territory after 38 years of occupation last August and that on previous occasions crossed the border fence to carry out searches.
In violence earlier on Monday, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian gunman along the Gaza-Israel border, Palestinian and Israeli officials said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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