Eight Killed in Gaza Strip Raid

Israeli troops today launched an incursion into a militant stronghold in the Gaza strip, killing eight Palestinians, including two boys aged two and 13.

The raid, an apparent response to yesterday's suicide bombing that killed three Israelis in a Tel Aviv bar, was led by Israeli helicopter gunships and tanks and sparked fierce gun battles between Israeli soldiers and armed Palestinians.

The bloodshed comes despite yesterday's launch of the internationally-brokered "road map" for peace in the Middle East.

Hamas yesterday rejected the peace plan, the first phase of which calls for Palestinians to crack down on terrorist attacks and for Israel to withdraw from Palestinian towns.

Today's military operation also signals Israel's intention to press on with its confrontation of the 31-month-old Palestinian uprising until the Palestinians show they are cracking down on militants.

Hamas' leader, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, today said attacks on Israelis would continue, despite a pledge by the new Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, to disarm the militias. "We will retaliate for all crimes," Mr Rantisi said. "We pledge to keep our weapons to fight the occupation."

The target of today's raid was Yousef Abu Hein, a top Hamas fugitive, who lives in the crowded Shijaiyah neighbourhood in Gaza City. At around 1.50am local time (2350 BST last night), armoured vehicles surrounded the Abu Hein home and Israeli soldiers called over loudspeakers for those inside to leave the buildings.

Nearly 200 masked gunmen carrying assault rifles and a few with anti-tank missiles rushed to the area, exchanging fire with Israeli troops. Intense fighting continued into the morning, with Israeli troops firing tank shells and heavy machine guns.

Israeli helicopters fired five missiles, witnesses said. An army spokesman said seven soldiers were injured, but would not comment on any deaths.

Seven Palestinians were killed, including two boys aged 2 and 13, said doctors at Gaza's Shifa hospital. The toddler, Amir Ayyad, was killed in his home by a large-calibre bullet to the head, said hospital director Dr Moawiya Hassanain.

The toddler's father, Ahmed Ayyad, said his son was shot as he stood near a window facing Israeli troops, reported Reuters.

"I could not help him," said Mr Ayyad, a blacksmith, choking back tears at the local morgue. "What road map? It is nonsense ... the Israelis do not want peace - you can ask my son."

A 40-year-old Palestinian civilian and two gunmen, aged 25 and 17, were also killed. Two other bodies had not yet been identified. Twenty-five Palestinians were wounded, including three who were in a critical condition.

Yousef Abu Hein is a senior bomb maker in Hamas, the Islamist group that has claimed responsibility, along with another group, for yesterday's suicide bombing that killed three bystanders in a Tel Aviv pub. It emerged yesterday that the suicide bomber and his accomplice, who ran from the scene, both carried British passports.