Israeli air attack destroys Hamas security building

GAZA, May 17 (Reuters) Israel's air force destroyed a Hamas security headquarters in Gaza City today, killing at least two people and wounding more than 20, in a powerful response to rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.

Smoke rose from what remained of the building in the heart of the city, where rival factions have been battling each other for the past six days in violence that has brought Palestinians to the verge of all-out civil war.

''I can confirm that we have carried out an air strike,'' an army spokesman said in Tel Aviv.

Gaza residents and Hamas radio identified the target as a building used by the Islamist group's Executive Force, which is challenging Fatah for security control of the territory.

An Executive Force spokesman said at least two people were killed and more than 20 injured, with some still trapped under the collapsed structure.

''We have had enough. Israel will take all defensive measures to protect our citizens from these Hamas rockets,'' Miri Eisin, a spokeswoman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said before the air strike.

At least two Israelis were lightly wounded by rocket salvoes in the southern town of Sderot, near the Gaza border.

Earlier today, at least one Palestinian was killed in a clash between Hamas and Fatah gunmen in the Gaza Strip, despite a ceasefire deal agreed late yesterday.

An Israeli army spokeswoman said a small number of tanks and armoured vehicles crossed over the Gaza fence ''but they have not gone in for an offensive operation''.

The current round of fighting erupted on Friday between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas's secular Fatah faction. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed in the violence, the most serious since the two groups formed a unity government two months ago.

REUTERS SKB ND1732