Israeli tanks and bulldozers stormed into the southern Gaza Strip early Wednesday, and Israeli aircraft hit a series of targets. At least 11 Palestinians, most of them gunmen, were hurt in the fighting, according to witnesses and medical officials.

Palestinian witnesses said a total of 25 tanks and armored bulldozers entered Abassan, an area east of Khan Younis, setting off battles with local fighters.

Israeli aircraft carried out at least three airstrikes, including one attack that struck six Hamas activists, said Dr. Moaiya Hassanain of the Palestinian Health Ministry. Three of the men were in critical condition, the AP reported. One eyewitness said the Hamas men were standing near a house and fired a rocket-propelled grenade toward a tank before the airstrike. He said some of the wounded were in the house and others were taken away in a private car that came under fire by the Israelis. He also claimed the army fired at ambulances that came to the scene.

Five other Palestinians, including one civilian, were wounded in two other airstrikes, medical officials said.

© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)