At least 4 killed in Gaza raid

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-07-2008 09:31

Israeli troops have killed at least four Palestinians in a raid into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to escalate attacks on militants who fire rockets into southern Israel.

A medic helps a Palestinian man who was wounded by Israeli army gunfire during a raid in the central Gaza Strip January 6, 2008.(REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa )

Palestinian hospital officials say three of the dead in the al-Bureij refugee camp were civilians. The fourth was a gunman killed in battle with the Israelis.

The latest Israeli raid is seen as a response to recent rocket attacks by the Palestinian militants. A rocket fired by the militants last week reached an unprecedented distance, hitting the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has called on Israel to stop military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

But Olmert says Israel will continue to operate against Palestinian militants responsible for attacks against his country.

The fighting has raised tension before US President George W. Bush's visit to Israel and the West Bank which starts on Wednesday.

Bush's visit aims to promote recently restarted peace talks between Israel and the moderate Palestinian government in the West Bank.