Palestinian killed as Israeli army razes homes

The Israeli army demolished eight buildings in the Gaza Strip early today, sparking clashes that left a Palestinian man dead.

The army said the operations were in reaction to a Palestinian ambush in Gaza on Sunday that killed a pregnant Jewish settler and her four young daughters.

Seven houses were demolished in the Khan Younis refugee camp and at least one in Deir al-Balah, witnesses said. Troops had bulldozed 22 houses in Khan Younis a day earlier, the local governor’s office said.

In Deir al-Balah, dozens of youths began throwing stones at the troops, Palestinian security sources said.

Soldiers responded with live fire, killing a Palestinian security guard, the sources said. Ten people, mostly schoolchildren ages 12 to 14, were slightly wounded, they added.

In Rafah in southern Gaza, army bulldozers were clearing land and rubble from past house demolitions, Palestinian witnesses said.

The army has been operating in the area in recent days to uncover tunnels used to smuggle weapons across the border with Egypt.