Palestinian fighters on Wednesday attacked an Israeli-controlled border crossing where European Union-funded fuel is piped into the Gaza Strip, killing at least two Israelis, the Israeli army said. An unconfirmed report by an Israeli emergency service said two Palestinian gunmen also were dead.
Hamas had warned on Tuesday of an "explosion" in the territory if Israel continued its economic blockade.
Fighters from three movements, not including Hamas, infiltrated the crossing, at Nahal Oz, said a spokesman for one of the groups, the Popular Resistance Committees. "Terrorists entered Nahal Oz and the fuel depot. They shot at civilians inside. There are two Israelis dead and two wounded," an Israeli army spokeswoman said, according to Reuters.
Western diplomats said Nahal Oz was raided after completion of the latest delivery of EU-funded fuel to the Gaza Strip's main power plant.
Spokesmen for the Palestinian groups said attackers withdrew back into the Gaza Strip, under fire from pursuing Israeli helicopters.
