Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1 dead in Israeli strike on Gaza


An explosion from an Israeli airstrike is seen in Rafah, southern
Gaza Strip (MaanImages/Hatem Omar, File)


GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israeli forces opened fire on the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing one person and seriously injuring three others, witnesses and medics said.

The health ministry in Gaza said Muhammad Shaker Abu Odeh was pronounced dead and another person was declared clinically dead. Two others were seriously injured.

An Israeli military official said the attack targeted a "terrorist squad" planting an explosive device on the border.

Witnesses told Ma'an that planes and tanks fired at least four times toward the city.

Medics said ambulances were not initially able to reach the scene due to the continuous fire and heavy shooting. One of the ambulances sustained damage, according to health officials.

A statement from the Israeli army said it targeted "a terrorist squad that was planting an explosive device near the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip. Hits were confirmed."

The statement continued: "An explosion was identified, originating from the explosive device the terrorists attempted to plant near the security fence with the intention of harming IDF soldiers."

Maan News Agency

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