Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships hunted a fugitive militant in a crowded Gaza refugee camp today, setting off chaotic gunbattles that killed 10 Palestinians, including two UN school workers.

Hospital officials say seven people died when an Israeli tank fired a shell into a Gaza Strip refugee camp.

A Palestinian woman and her two-year-old daughter were shot dead today while riding in a taxi in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinians, who claimed Israeli troops were responsible.