Gunmen kill mother and kids in Gaza

PALESTINIAN gunmen killed a pregnant Jewish settler and her four daughters in Gaza yesterday as members of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's party voted on his controversial plan to evacuate the territory.

An Israeli army spokesman said the settler family a woman of 34 who was eight months pregnant and daughters aged 11, nine, seven and two was ambushed in their car on the corridor road between Israel and Gush Katif, the main Gaza settlement.

Israeli troops shot dead the two gunmen shortly afterwards. Hours later an Israeli helicopter launched three rockets at a Palestinian building in the middle of Gaza City.