GAZA CITY: Palestinians say Israeli F-16 bombers have launched a series of air strikes against key targets in the Gaza Strip, killing and injuring dozens of people.Medical sources report at least 170 Palestinians have been killed and over 200 wounded in a series of Israel Air Force strikes on the Gaza Strip on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera television.Gaza health official Moawiya Hassanain confirmed the report, saying 120 Palestinians have been killed in the airstrikes. The strikes targeted Hamas compounds throughout the Gaza Strip, causing widespread panic, Hamas officials said on Saturday.
IAF strikes on Saturday on the police headquarters in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip killed police chief Tawfiq Jabber, Hamas radio reported.
At least two people were killed and 30 wounded from an attack in Khan Younis, a refugee camp in the south of Gaza.
At least two people were killed and 30 wounded from an attack in Khan Younis, a refugee camp in the south of Gaza.
TV footage showed bodies of more than a dozen black-clad security men lying on the ground in one area. Palestinian witnesses say one of the missiles struck Hamas police headquarters in Gaza City, with at least 50 people among the casualties in the attack.
Residents reported hearing at least 15 explosions. Many of Hamas' security compounds are in residental areas, and the airstrikes took place as children were leaving school. Plumes of black smoke rose over Gaza City, sirens wailed through the streets and women frantically looked for their children.
In the West Bank, Hamas' rival, moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said in a statement that he condemns this "aggression" and calls for restraint, according to an aide, Nabil Abu Rdeneh.
Hamas reported the hits on its compounds on one of its local Web sites.
A Reuters correspondent said Gaza City port and security installations of Hamas were badly damaged.
A Reuters correspondent said Gaza City port and security installations of Hamas were badly damaged.
The Israel Defense Forces had no immediate comment on the attack, which followed a decision by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's security cabinet to widen reprisals for cross-border Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
Residents of the western Negev communities have received instructions from the authorities to remain in their homes and in bomb-proof rooms.
Meanwhile, Palestinian militants fired dozens of mortar shells from the Gaza Strip overnight Thursday and early morning Friday, as the IDF prepared for action.
Residents of the western Negev communities have received instructions from the authorities to remain in their homes and in bomb-proof rooms.
Meanwhile, Palestinian militants fired dozens of mortar shells from the Gaza Strip overnight Thursday and early morning Friday, as the IDF prepared for action.
The mortars damaged one building, but no one was hurt in any of the incidents.
BBC NEWS
BBC NEWS
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