Israeli troops raided southern Gaza early Thursday, killing at least seven Palestinians, including four militants and an 8-year-old boy, in the latest stage of their monthlong offensive, Palestinian officials said. About 50 tanks accompanied by bulldozers pushed into an area near the Gaza-Egypt border before dawn, taking up positions near the long-closed Gaza airport, residents and Palestinian security officials said. The forces advanced about five miles, the farthest since the offensive started in late June, blocking a main highway and the eastern entrance to Rafah, a town on the Egyptian border. Full Story