Seven Palestinians Killed in Israeli Raids

Israel killed seven Palestinians in missile strikes and other military action Sunday and early today in the southern Gaza Strip.

The violence occurred in and near the town Khan Yunis. An Israeli military spokesman said the action was a response to the firing of at least 28 mortar bombs from the area toward nearby Jewish settlements over the weekend. No casualties were reported from the mortar attacks.

Two Palestinian militants were killed in a missile strike early Sunday in the area.

Late Sunday, Israeli aircraft and tanks struck Khan Yunis’ refugee camp, firing three missiles that killed two security officers and injured five, Palestinian medical officials said.

Witnesses said all the victims had been wearing uniforms and carrying automatic weapons.

The Israeli army said it was targeting armed men who were moving toward Israeli soldiers.

Another missile struck near the home of Mohammed Assenwar, a leading Hamas militant in Khan Yunis, whom Israel has tried three times to kill in airstrikes in Gaza. Neither Assenwar nor anyone else was reported to have been hurt in the attack.

A fifth man, who the military said was preparing to plant a bomb in the path of Israeli troops, died in another airstrike Sunday.

Then early today, a sixth Palestinian was killed in an airstrike near a cemetery; the army said it fired on a group of at least four people with explosive devices. Medics said two people each lost a limb and were in critical condition after the attack.

Later, a tank fired a shell toward a group, which included militants, that gathered on the edge of the Khan Yunis camp, killing a seventh person, Palestinian hospital officials said.

A total of 23 Palestinians were wounded in the violence, officials said.