Several killed in Gaza violence

[papau]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3875595.stm

Several killed in Gaza violence
Several Palestinian gunmen have been killed and an Israeli officer seriously injured in heavy clashes in the northern Gaza Strip.
The fighting broke out early on Thursday in the town of Beit Hanoun.

Hamas said one of its commanders was among at least seven people who died. Others are believed to include members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.

Israeli forces moved into Beit Hanoun last month, to try to stop militants firing home-made rockets from the area.


The BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza City says this was the heaviest outbreak of fighting since the Israelis took up positions around the town.


It is not clear how it broke out - but reports from the area suggest that the Israelis encountered a small group of militants from the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.