Israel air strikes in Gaza set ministry ablaze

Gaza, June 30 : Israeli air strikes in Gaza City destroyed the Palestinian Interior Ministry today in what marked the first Israeli attack against a government structure since Hamas won parliamentary elections in January.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Palestinian witnesses said Israeli missiles also slammed into an office belonging to President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah group and a Hamas training camp outside the city, as Israel pressed ahead with a wide offensive in the territory.

An army spokesman confirmed the army had carried out the strike against the Interior Ministry, saying Hamas officials had used it to plan anti-Israeli attacks. He said he was checking reports of further strikes.

Palestinian security sources said one of the missiles crashed straight into the office of interior minister and Hamas leader Saeed Seyam.

Israel has carried out about a dozen air strikes in the territory in recent days as part of a larger offensive aimed at freeing a soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants in Gaza earlier in the week.

Reuters

Related Stories
Israeli air strike targets senior militant in Gaza
Hamas leaders arrested, pursues Gaza campaign