The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Gaza City

Israeli forces killed three Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Monday as ground troops backed by air support pressed campaigns against militants who fire rockets into the Jewish state.

Two Palestinians were killed in the northern Gaza Strip and a third in the south during clashes between Israeli soldiers and gunmen. A civilian was also seriously wounded in the central part of the territory.

Mohammed Hamad, 28, from the armed wing of Hamas that controls the territory, and 44-year-old Farid Abu Odeh were killed by Israeli fire in the Beit Hanun area in the north during what witnesses said were heavy clashes.

Local medics said another 20 Palestinians were wounded, including three who were admitted to hospital in a serious condition.

An Israeli army spokeswoman confirmed that troops were operating in the area and that an air strike was called in against a "cell of gunmen who opened fire against IDF forces operating in Beit Hanun area."

In the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli troops shot dead another Hamas fighter in a pre-dawn ground operation.