Israeli tanks kill six in Gaza

Six Palestinians were killed and eight wounded in the northern Gaza Strip today by what Palestinian hospital officials said was Israeli tank fire.

The Israeli fire came in response to Palestinian mortar attacks on an industrial zone near the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza.

The Israeli military said an Israeli was lightly hurt by the mortar fire, but had no immediate comment on Israeli tank fire.

Palestinian witnesses said two Israeli tank shells hit an area on the edge of the town of Beit Lahiya, close to Erez. ”People were in the streets, including farmers, school children and women,” said resident Hakim Awad.

Hospital officials said at least three of the bodies had been decapitated. They said two of the wounded were in critical condition.

Palestinian militants have stepped up mortar and rocket fire on Israeli settlements in Gaza and border towns in recent weeks, and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has warned the military would respond harshly.

Rival militant groups are jockeying for power ahead of a planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the summer and are trying to portray the pullback as a retreat under fire.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat condemned what he said was “continued Israeli military escalation.”

“We call on the international community to pressure Israel to stop these actions,” Erekat said.