Violence returns to Gaza border

Four Israeli soliders have been wounded, two seriously, in a gunbattle on the Gaza border.

Residents say they saw a number of gunmen approach the frontier, and then heard firing and missiles being fired into Israel. Gunfire from helicopter gunships was also heard, but their targets were unknown.

In a separate incident near Khan Younis there was a 20 minute exchange of fire, wounding one Palestinian, with Israeli tanks firing shells and calling in reinforcements.

These are the latest in a number of incidents in recent weeks. On Wednesday two members of Islamic Jihad were killed while trying to cross into Israel, and the violence is escalating despite Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers saying they are working to avoid confrontation.

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