Son of senior Hamas leader killed in Israeli raid

Israeli troops raided the northern Gaza Strip today, killing at least nine Palestinians, including the son of a senior Hamas leader and three civilians, in an operation against rocket squads.

Palestinian fire from the fighting killed an Ecuadorian volunteer at an Israeli communal farm, Israeli rescue said.

An undercover army unit moved first into the Zeitoun area east of Gaza City, striking a house used by Palestinian militants to launch projectiles, Hamas security said.

Palestinian gunmen discovered the soldiers, fired at them and an exchange of fire broke out, Hamas said.

Israeli tanks, bulldozers and helicopters then entered the area, firing at the militants, Hamas said.

Nine Palestinians, including the son of a senior Hamas leader, Mahmoud Zahar, and three civilians, were killed, doctors said.

Later in the fighting, a Palestinian sniper fired from the border area into Israel, killing a volunteer from Ecuador who was working in a field at the communal farm of Ein Hashlosha, Israeli rescue said.

The Israeli army confirmed an operation in the area, saying troops fired at militants who had approached the border fence.

After an exchange of fire broke out, aircraft also fired at the gunmen, the military said.