GAZA (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces shelled an open area in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, after killing two people amid clashes near the border, medics and witnesses said.
Witnesses told Ma'an that they heard three explosions north of Beit Lahiya after an Israeli artillery unit based on the northern border shelled an open area. No injuries were reported.
Earlier, Israeli forces killed two people in northern Gaza after clashes broke out between forces and unknown gunmen near the border with Israel, medics and witnesses said.
Artillery fired on fighters near Beit Hanoun after gunfire from militants towards the northern border, witnesses said. Israeli forces entered the Gaza Strip and were joined by the air force, they said.
Medical officials said Muhammad Abu Halmiya, 22, and Nasser al-Layyan, 23, were killed by an Israeli helicopter after the clashes broke out.
Al-Layyan was a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades, a representative from the Hamas armed wing told Ma'an. A Ma'an reporter said Abu Halmiya was believed to be a farmer.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said "fire was directed at soldiers near the border fence," damaging a military vehicle. Forces "returned fire to sources of the fire," she said.
An Israeli army statement added: "soldiers targeted the terrorist squad aided by IAF aircraft. A direct hit was confirmed."
The fighting came less an week after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed 12 Palestinians, amid a volley of rocket fire into Israel which killed one Israeli, before an Egyptian-brokered truce on Sunday.
Witnesses told Ma'an that they heard three explosions north of Beit Lahiya after an Israeli artillery unit based on the northern border shelled an open area. No injuries were reported.
Earlier, Israeli forces killed two people in northern Gaza after clashes broke out between forces and unknown gunmen near the border with Israel, medics and witnesses said.
Artillery fired on fighters near Beit Hanoun after gunfire from militants towards the northern border, witnesses said. Israeli forces entered the Gaza Strip and were joined by the air force, they said.
Medical officials said Muhammad Abu Halmiya, 22, and Nasser al-Layyan, 23, were killed by an Israeli helicopter after the clashes broke out.
Al-Layyan was a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades, a representative from the Hamas armed wing told Ma'an. A Ma'an reporter said Abu Halmiya was believed to be a farmer.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said "fire was directed at soldiers near the border fence," damaging a military vehicle. Forces "returned fire to sources of the fire," she said.
An Israeli army statement added: "soldiers targeted the terrorist squad aided by IAF aircraft. A direct hit was confirmed."
The fighting came less an week after Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed 12 Palestinians, amid a volley of rocket fire into Israel which killed one Israeli, before an Egyptian-brokered truce on Sunday.
Maan News Agency
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