Two Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike

GAZA, July 8 (Reuters) Two Palestinians including a six-year-old girl were killed in an Israeli airstrike today near Gaza City, Palestinian police and witnesses said.

Several other Palestinians were injured in the strike, which hit a house between the Karni commercial crossing and Gaza City.

The Israeli army said it had fired a missile at a group of gunmen in the area.

Earlier today, three Palestinians were killed in clashes between Israeli forces and militants near Gaza City.

Israel has expanded an incursion aimed at freeing a captive soldier and stopping militants from firing rockets into the Jewish state.

REUTERS SY KOP2310