Seven Hurt in Gaza Mortar Attack
AP
Date: 12-12-04
By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - The Israeli army fired three tank shells at the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip (news - web sites) on Sunday, wounding seven schoolchildren, Palestinian officials said.
The army denied firing tank shells, saying it used only light weapons to target militants attempting to launch a mortar shell. Associated Press Television News footage showed a large hole in the roof of a building behind the school that appeared to house a playground.
Palestinian officials said the shell wounded seven children, two of whom were treated at the scene. The other students, aged 8-12, suffered shrapnel wounds and were taken to the hospital, Palestinian medical officials said.
"There is nothing to justify this random shelling," Khan Younis Gov. Hosni Zourab said.
The attack came after Palestinian militants fired a mortar shell at an Israeli target in the southern Gaza Strip, causing no damage or injuries, the army said. Jewish settlers said militants had fired two other projectiles at a settlement near Khan Younis overnight.
Israel often retaliates against militant attacks. On Friday, Israeli troops killed a 7-year-old Palestinian girl in southern Gaza as they shot toward militants who had fired mortar shells at a nearby Jewish settlement.
The firing of mortar shells and rockets at settlements in Gaza and nearby towns in Israel has threatened Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next summer. Palestinian militants hope an escalation of violence in Gaza will make it appear as if Israel is fleeing the area.
Palestinian militants also fired three mortar shells and a homemade rocket toward Jewish settlements in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday, damaging a building, but causing no injuries, the army said.
Most of the projectiles fell in open areas in the northern coastal strip or just north, inside Israel, the army said.
One of the shells badly damaged a building in the Jewish settlement of Nissanit, settlers said. Palestinians in the area reported hearing a large explosion from the area of the settlement.
Source
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