Israeli raid kills three in Gaza

Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles at an apartment block and a car in Gaza City today only hours after being ordered to step up assassination raids.

Witnesses said at least three people were killed and hospital officials said eight were wounded, three critically.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment. Ambulances and Palestinian security forces raced to the scene.

Smoke was seen rising from the Nasser neighbourhood near a refugee camp. Israeli fighter planes were seen flying over Gaza City just after the attack.

The air strike came just hours after Israel’s Security Cabinet decided to step up attacks against Hamas militants in Gaza, a security official said.

The decision was in response to a double suicide bombing on Sunday in the seaport of Ashdod, that killed 10 Israelis.

It was the first time in more than three years of fighting that Palestinian bombers managed to get out of Gaza to carry out an attack.

Israeli TV’s military correspondent said the strike was part of the stepped-up campaign that would include daily attacks against militants from Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad, both responsible for many suicide bombing attacks.