/ 11 February 2004

Nine Palestinians killed in firefight with Israelis

Nine Palestinians were killed early on Wednesday during a firefight with Israeli soldiers in eastern Gaza City, according to a new toll from Palestinian medical sources.

Sources at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa hospital said that one more man, whose identity was not immediately known, had been brought into the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The sources had earlier said that eight people had been killed.

A total of 30 people had also been wounded after soldiers opened fire on a Palestinian security post in the al-Shijaiyeh area near the town centre.

An Israeli military spokesperson said that the army had identified ”at least 17 hits”, without confirming the death toll.

All those targeted by the Israelis had been armed with either anti-tank missiles, explosives devices or regular firearms, the spokesperson said. No Israeli troops were injured in the clashes which broke out at around 3am [0100 GMT]. – Sapa-AFP