GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Palestinian militants ambushed an Israeli ground force in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing three soldiers in a clash that prompted Israel to delay the resumption of crucial fuel deliveries to the impoverished Palestinian area. Four Hamas gunmen also were killed in separate clashes.Intense battles took place throughout Gaza on Wednesday, making it one of the bloodiest days of fighting since Israel ended a military offensive in early April. At least five Palestinians and three soldiers were wounded, according to Hamas and the army, further straining Egyptian efforts to mediate a cease-fire. Throughout the fighting, Palestinians fired rockets and mortar shells toward southern Israel, IsraelÂ’s army said, though no civilian casualties were reported.
The soldiers were killed after troops spotted two Hamas militants planting a bomb near the Israeli border. Troops pursued the militants, only to fall into an ambush by another Hamas force lying in wait, Israeli defense officials said. The Israeli soldiers were killed near the Nahal Oz terminal used by Israel to pump fuel into Gaza.
The officials said the attack wasnÂ’t expected to lead to an escalation in IsraelÂ’s military policy of targeting militants with pinpoint airstrikes and raids.
| Pity. |