Six killed as Israel defies backlash over raid

SIX more Palestinians were killed as Israeli forces pushed on with an unprecedented raid in southern Gaza despite criticism from the US and censure from the United Nations.

Five of the latest victims were killed in two overnight air strikes in the Jenaina neighbourhood of Rafah town and the Brazil quarter of the neighbouring refugee camp.

A sixth was shot dead by troops outside his house in the neighbourhood of Tal al-Sultan which the army has been sweeping for two days, bringing the overall death toll since the start of Operation Rainbow early on Tuesday to 40.