Sunday, September 27, 2009

Witnesses: Israeli forces shelled Gaza overnight

Published today (updated) 27/09/2009 19:50

Gaza – Ma'an – Israel's military bombarded several areas in Gaza overnight, and a number of military vehicles crossed the border near Beit Lahiya in the north, witnesses said on Sunday.

Artillery shelling reportedly targeted the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, while tanks and special forces were said to have entered the evacuated Israeli settlement of Dogit, northwest of Beit Lahiya. Machine gun fire was reported, and fighter jets were heard flying overhead.

Israel's military confirmed firing two mortar shells toward what they said was the launching post for mortars fired the same night. According to Israeli sources, Palestinians launched a mortar shell toward southern Israel that landed in an open area in the Eshkol Regional Council. There were no reports of injury or damage.

Separately, in the Al-Waha area of the northern Gaza Strip, fishermen said they came under fire from Israeli warships. However no injuries were reported. At Deir Al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip, Israeli artillery bombarded open areas east of the city, according to residents. No casualties were reported there, either.

A homemade projectile was launched toward the Eshkol Regional Council on Friday night, according to Israeli sources, causing no injuries or damage. The same night, three Palestinians were killed and another injured in an Israeli airstrike on northeastern Gaza. Islamic Jihad confirmed that three of its members died in the strike, but denied they were prepping to fire anything toward Israel.