Israeli troops, gunmen exchange fire at Gaza

Gaza, Nov 3: Israeli troops exchanged fire early today with Palestinian gunmen holed up in a mosque in the Gaza strip, Palestinian witnesses and a Palestinian security source said.

Witnesses said around 60 militants were inside the mosque in the centre of the town of Beit Hanoun.

They said earlier Israeli bulldozers had demolished a wall of the mosque, adding that troops fired stun grenades and teargas in the area of the mosque to try to force the gunmen to surrender.

A source with militant group Hamas said fighters had detonated an explosive device planted outside the mosque. It was unclear if there were any casualties in the clash.

The Israeli army said it was checking the report.

Reuters