Israelis kill at least five Palestinians in Gaza

ISRAELI forces backed by tanks and bulldozers raided a Gaza Strip town early yesterday, killing at least five Palestinians, among them three militants, in fighting with gunmen, Palestinian officials said.

The invasion came hours after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged to continue targeting militant Palestinian leaders, following the weekend assassination of Hamas leader Dr Abdel Aziz Rantissi.

Israeli troops and tanks moved into Beit Lahiya early yesterday, near the scene of fighting the previous day and surrounded a housing project.