Israelis kill eight in Gaza gun battles

ISRAELI troops killed eight Palestinians yesterday in the deadliest raid in the Gaza Strip in more than a month, casting a shadow over a new American push to salvage a battered peace plan.

Islamic Jihad, one of the main groups behind a campaign of suicide bombings against Israelis, vowed revenge, saying four of its fighters including two field commanders were among those killed during fierce gun battles in Gaza City.

"The bloody message has been received ... and the Palestinian people will know how to respond to it," Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed Al-Hindi said.