Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire to the conflict that has killed over 700 Palestinians.
Amos Gilad, a senior advisor to Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak was due in Cairo on Thursday to get details on an Egyptian ceasefire plan. Warplanes hit a house and a suspected tunnel in an open area of Rafah near the Egyptian border early on Thursday, witnesses said, according to Reuters. Palestinians reported more than 20 air strikes around Gaza City before dawn Thursday and said one person was killed and 10 wounded in the attacks. Three Palestinian gunmen from the Islamic Jihad were killed and two others wounded in an air strike later Thursday morning.
The Israeli army confirmed that strikes were taking place in Rafah. Late Wednesday, Israeli planes had dropped thousands of leaflets on the Rafah area, warning residents to leave their houses or face air strikes. People were told they could return to their homes at 8:00 am (0600 GMT) on Thursday.
