Israeli aircraft struck armed Palestinians in northern Gaza early Friday after the bloodiest day of clashes in the strip since Israel withdrew last summer. Twenty-four Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in fighting that began on Thursday, pitting militants armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades against Israeli tanks and attack helicopters. Israeli troops invaded two northern towns near its border on Thursday, expanding a ground offensive to win freedom for a soldier captured by militants and put Israel out of the militants’ increasingly longer rocket range. Full Story