Israeli troops clashed with Hamas militants inside the Gaza Strip on today, killing eight in fierce fighting that drew in Israeli aircraft, tanks and bulldozers, and sent militants laying mines against troops.

Four Hamas militants were killed in clashes in central Gaza with Israeli troops near the Israel-Gaza border early today, the army and Hamas officials said.

Hamas fighters have seized Fatah’s senior field commanders in the Gaza Strip, a spokesman for the Islamic group announced today.

The Al Aqsa TV and radio stations, allied with Hamas, came under fire from Palestinian security forces today, employees said.

An explosion has been heard in Gaza City as Hamas and Fatah gunmen exchanged automatic weapons fire at a city university and Israeli war planes pummelled Hamas targets for a third straight day, killing five people, in response to the Islamic group’s rocket attacks on southern Israel.

Shots were fired today at the Gaza City home of Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar of Hamas, Palestinian security officials and Hamas TV reported.