Israeli helicoptes launched two separate missile attacks on Gaza City metal foundries early Monday, hours after Palestinian fighters blew up an army post in Gaza, killing an Israeli soldier and wounding five others.
Israel said the workshops were being used by Hamas and other groups to make weapons, including home-made rockets.
Late Sunday, a huge blast went off at an Israeli outpost located near the Gush Katif Junction in the Gaza Strip, killing at least one Israeli soldier and wounding at least five.
The blast was set off by explosives planted in a tunnel dug near the base.
Hamas and Fatah have claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesman for Fatah's Al Aqsa Brigades said activists had dug a 350-meter long tunnel, and detonated 150 kilograms of explosives underneath the outpost.
"This is a message to [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon that...our fighters will continue the holy struggle until we uproot them from our land," said the spokesman.
In Gaza City, about 2,000 people rushed into the streets to celebrate.
Following the attack, Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in Khan Yunis, to the south of the destroyed outpost. (Albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
