Three Israeli troops die in border clash

Three Israeli soldiers were killed in a clash with Palestinian gunmen in the Gaza strip today.

The attack, which also left four gunmen dead, prompted Israel to delay resuming crucial fuel deliveries to the area.

Intense battles took place throughout Gaza today, making it one of the bloodiest days of fighting since Israel ended a military offensive in early April.

At least five Palestinians and three soldiers were wounded, according to the militant Hamas group and the army, further straining Egyptian efforts to mediate a cease-fire.

Throughout the fighting Palestinians fired rockets and mortars toward southern Israel.

The Israeli soldiers were killed near the terminal used by Israel to pump fuel into Gaza. The supply was cut last week after two Israeli civilians were killed in an attack on the terminal, the only source of fuel for Gaza.

The Israeli army said the soldiers were killed after crossing into Gaza to chase Hamas fighters who had approached the border.

It was not immediately clear when fuel deliveries would resume. Palestinians say the Israeli sanctions have caused widespread hardship in Gaza. Yesterday the United Nations said it was gravely concerned about the effects of the fuel cutbacks.

Israel has been cutting back on fuel and other basic supplies allowed into Gaza for months, trying to pressure Gaza’s Islamic Hamas government to stop rocket attacks.

In a separate incident, Israeli troops entered northern Gaza early today in what the military spokesman said was a “routine operation” to target militants launching rockets.

Israeli aircraft also fired at a group of gunmen. Hamas said four of its fighters were killed and three wounded.