2 Palestinians killed in IAF Gaza strike

IDF: Mortar squad targeted; Palestinian officials: Two teenage brothers killed; Kassam fire continues.

By YAAKOV KATZ, AP
idf nablus 224.88 (photo credit: AP [file])
idf nablus 224.88
(photo credit: AP [file])
Two Palestinians were killed in an IAF strike in the Gaza Strip on Tuesdayy. According to the IDF, it attacked a group of terror operatives who had fired mortar shells at troops from the area. However, Palestinian medical officials said they had identified the dead as civilians - a pair of teenage brothers who were struck outside their house. The identities of four people wounded were not immediately known. Also Tuesday, the rocket fire on the western Negev continued, as Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip fired two Kassam rockets on Tuesday evening. One of the rockets landed in an open area in the Sha'ar Hanegev region, and the other in an open area in the Eskhol region. No casualties or damage were report in the attacks. Earlier, a mortar shell fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip landed in the Eshkol region, causing no casualties or damage were reported. On Monday night, IDF soldiers killed a wanted Palestinian in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, near Nablus. A Palestinian witness, Naim Abdel Salam, said the man was killed in an ambush by undercover forces. The IDF said he tried to escape arrest, was shot in the legs and later died of his injuries. The man was identified as Mohammed Abu Daragh, 27, and was a member of the Al Aksa Martyrs' Brigades. Most Al Aksa members have received amnesty from Israel. Palestinian officials said Abu Daragh had also been granted amnesty and accused Israel of violating the agreement. IDF officials said Abu Daragh had been involved in violent activity in recent months.