GAZA, 7 September 2007 — Israeli soldiers and helicopter gunships operating inside the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip killed at least 10 Palestinian fighters yesterday, the highest militant death toll in two months, medical workers and fighters said. At least six of the fighters were killed during a thwarted attack on an Israeli military post near the border with central Gaza, Islamic Jihad said.
The fighters were approaching the border fence when their vehicles came under helicopter fire. An Israeli Army spokeswoman confirmed that two vehicles in the area had been targeted. The fighting came one day after Israel’s Security Cabinet, discussing how to respond to rockets fired by Gaza fighters, decided against a broad offensive but to continue “pinpointed attacks.”
Local residents said a small Israeli commando force crossed into the territory near the Palestinian town of Khan Younis and that gunbattles erupted. Israeli tanks then moved into the area, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and the fighting intensified, the residents said.
Two Islamic Jihad gunmen and two Hamas fighters were killed in the clashes. Islamic Jihad said the six fighters who were killed in their vehicles had attempted to infiltrate into Israel.
“The aim of the operation was to tell the Zionists (Israelis) that we will raid your areas if you attempt to raid our areas. As you bring death into our homes, we will bring death into your homes,” Islamic Jihad spokesman Abu Ahmed said.
Hamas Islamists seized control of Gaza in June after routing Fatah forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Tensions between the groups have escalated in recent days after Hamas announced a ban on open-air prayers organized by Fatah. The gatherings have turned into weekly protests against the territory’s Islamist rulers.
On the eve of Friday prayers, Hamas’ Executive Force vowed to use an “iron fist” against those who violate the ban, increasing tensions. Fatah leaders have urged their supporters to turn out in large numbers despite the threat of violence.
Meanwhile, international Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday as he pressed ahead with preparations for a peace conference later this year. The two men discussed “certain political issues” broached during Blair’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday, according to Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat. Abbas “insisted on creating the conditions on the ground necessary to create the institutions of a Palestinian state,” he added.
A spokesman for Blair refused to comment on the meeting in the West Bank town of Ramallah. The former British prime minister’s talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders mark the fourth leg of a regional tour aimed at laying the groundwork for a US-sponsored peace conference planned for later this year.
Abbas asked Blair to put pressure on Israel to remove some of the hundreds of checkpoints that restrict travel in the West Bank.
