Israel attacks Gaza factory

ISRAELI helicopters attacked a factory in the Gaza Strip early yesterday after Palestinians blew up an Israeli tank and killed two soldiers.

Reflecting a rapidly deteriorating situation, Israel’s defence minister said the Gaza part of a plan to ease tensions would not be implemented because of the repeated Palestinian attacks.

The helicopter strike on the metal workshop in Khan Younis just after midnight was the first of its kind since both sides agreed on August 18 to begin easing tensions by returning control of the West Bank town of Bethlehem and the Gaza Strip to the Palestinians.