Israelis strike again after bloody day
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