Reuters says that Israeli soldiers bombarded numerous parts of Gaza and that residents in Rafah, south of the Palestinian territory, reported intense fighting last night.
Residents reported that combat escalated in the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood of western Rafah, where tanks were also attempting to push their way north amid fierce fighting. According to the armed factions of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, fighters launched mortar bombs and anti-tank rockets against Israeli soldiers.
Near the northern Jabalia camp, one of the eight historic refugee camps in the Gaza Strip, an Israeli strike killed three Palestinians and injured others, according to doctors.
Media reports and locals claimed that the victims were among a crowd of individuals who congregated outside a store to obtain an internet connection so they could call family members who lived elsewhere in the enclave.
Tank shells struck an apartment at Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, killing at least five people and injuring others, according to medical officials.
The Israeli armed forces made no remarks right away.
