ISRAELI attacks killed eight Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip yesterday and the Islamic militant group claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Israel.

Rival Palestinian Islamic groups Hamas and Fatah called on their members to fight back after 11 militants were killed in a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip

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.

A video has been released showing kidnapped British Gaza-based journalist Alan Johnston in an apparent suicide bomber explosives belt and warning it will be detonated if an attempt is made to free him by force.

Israeli-Palestinian violence escalated dangerously when Israel killed five militants in airstrikes and hinted Hamas political leaders could be their next target.

Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes today, killing five militants and hitting suspected weapons-storage sites in its campaign against Palestinian rocket squads.

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.

Talks are being held today by Israeli and Palestinian leaders today in a bid to determine the future of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas militants fired a barrage of rockets and mortar shells towards Israel today and said they considered a five-month truce to have ended.

A Palestinian politician and a spokesman for the Hamas military wing today denied a report that the release of a captured Israeli soldier in the Gaza Strip could be imminent.

Palestinian militants today gave Israel 24 hours to start releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, implying they will kill an abducted Israeli soldier tomorrow morning if their demands are not met.

A Palestinian militant leader today said a captured Israeli soldier was being held in a “secure place,” and he claimed that his group also seized a Jewish settler in the West Bank.

The armed wing of the Islamic Hamas will not join Palestinian security forces, a spokesman for the militant group was quoted as saying today, commenting on possible changes as the Islamic group works toward setting up a new government.