Israeli troops enter Gaza, 2 Palestinians killed

GAZA, Oct 18 (Reuters) Israeli forces backed by tanks battled gunmen in the Gaza Strip yesterday, killing at least two Palestinians, one of them a civilian, residents and witnesses said.

The Palestinian witnesses said a number of Israeli tanks had entered northern Gaza, east of the Jabalya refugee camp, triggering clashes with members of the governing Hamas militant group who fired anti-tank rockets.

The Israeli military said it was checking the report.

Hamas sources and medical officials said one fighter had been killed and another was lightly wounded in the clash. Residents said a civilian was also killed.

Around 250 Palestinians, about half of them civilians, have been killed in Israeli operations in Gaza since Israel intensified raids after the capture of a soldier by militants in a cross-border raid from Gaza in June.

Israel has also stepped up military action against militants firing rockets at Israeli towns from Gaza.

REUTERS AB BS1431