12 die as Israel launches massive offensive in Gaza

Israeli helicopters pounded the Rafah refugee camp with missiles and machine gun fire today, killing 12 Palestinians, at least seven of them armed, as troops searched houses in the largest Israeli offensive in Gaza in years.

Trapped residents said they huddled in the innermost rooms of their homes as bullets rained outside. Others tried to flee to safer ground. At least 34 Palestinians were wounded, including eight who were in critical condition.