Israeli troops thwart infiltration from Gaza -army

GAZA, Aug 15 (Reuters) Israeli soldiers opened fire on two Palestinian gunmen today, thwarting a bid to infiltrate Israel, an Israeli army spokesman said.

The incident occurred in southern Gaza. The spokesman said troops had hit the gunmen, but he did not know their condition.

Palestinian witnesses in nearby Khan Younis said they heard two explosions and thought one was the sound of a missile fired from a helicopter.

Medics said they could not immediately reach the darkened area to check for casualties.

Israel killed three Palestinians in Gaza yesterday after militants fired two crude rockets at the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Violence in Gaza had persisted during a month-long Israeli war with Hizbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Israel launched an offensive in Gaza after gunmen captured a soldier on June 25 in a cross-border raid.

REUTERS PDS PM0208