Israeli helicopters fire into Gaza: Residents

Gaza, Apr 7: Israeli helicopters fired into the northern Gaza Strip today in what local residents described as the fiercest exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants since a November truce.

The residents said the helicopters fired at least two missiles at militants near the Jabalya refugee camp.

An Israeli army spokesman said the helicopters opened fired after identifying ''suspicious movements'' near the border fence where militants had been operating and trying to plant explosive devices.

On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz authorised the army to carry out limited operations just inside Gaza against militants, despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and the Palestinians in November.

Some militant groups have carried on firing rockets into Israel from Gaza despite the truce, and Peretz said the Jewish state would ''not allow the continued strengthening and arming'' of militants in the coastal strip.

Reuters