Gaza gunmen have killed 18 alleged spies for Israel, including seven who were lined up behind a mosque and shot, in response to Israel’s deadly airstrikes against top Hamas leaders.

Troops have opened fire on protesters in cities across Syria and pro and anti-government crowds clashed in the capital’s historic old city as one of the Middle East’s most repressive regimes sought to put down demonstrations that exploded nationwide demanding reform.

Fresh violence in a southern Syrian city has left as many as six people dead today, according to activists.