Four Palestinians and an Israeli settler on Wednesday were killed in two incidents in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In the first incident, Israeli troops killed two Palestinians, members of Hamas, in a raid on the West Bank village of Qarwat Beni Zeit north-west of Ramallah, Israel Radio reported.
Later, one Israeli settler was killed and four Israeli troops were wounded when an explosive device blew along a patrol route near the settlement of Morag in the southern Gaza Strip.
The blast was believed to be caused by a bomb that was planted by a Palestinian in a tunnel dug under the patrolling route.
Islamic Jihad movement claimed responsibility for the attack, Reuters reported. The Movement said that both of its members who had taken part in the operation were killed.
Palestinians also fired on Wednesday morning three mortar shells at a Gush Katif settlement in the Gaza Strip. The shells hit and damaged hot houses at the settlement's outskirts. No casualties were reported.
In a separate incident in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian fighter fired an anti-tank missile at an Israeli force patrolling outside a settlement. No casualties were reported in this incident.
Also on Wednesday morning, Israeli tanks briefly entered Gaza City and wounded one Palestinian in fighting that ensued, while four others were arrested, Palestinian witnesses reported, according to The AP.
Palestinian security officials and witnesses said Israeli helicopters fired two missiles at a target south of Gaza City shortly before the tanks moved into the city.
Witnesses said Palestinian fighters were exchanging fire with Israeli soldiers, who moved into the Ajlin neighborhood of the city.
