Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Several Israeli army tanks and armored vehicles pulled out from central Gaza Strip on Thursday after killing seven Palestinian militants and wounding nine others, including two local cameramen, witnesses said.

    Early on Thursday, Palestinian residents said that more than 10 tanks, bulldozers and armored vehicles rolled into an area east of al-Mughazi refugee camp in central Gaza Strip amid intensive gunfire.

Palestinians relatives of Hamas militant Mahmud Al-Mishal mourn during his funeral in Gaza Dec. 20, 2007. Several Israeli army tanks and armored vehicles pulled out from central Gaza Strip on Thursday after killing seven Palestinian militants and wounding nine others, including two local cameramen, witnesses said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    The witnesses said that heavy armed clashes broke out in the area between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian gunmen, who are members of several Gaza armed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Holy War).

    Mo'aweya Hassanein, chief of emergency in the Palestinian ministry of health said that seven Palestinians were killed and nine wounded, including two local cameramen.

    Armed groups sources said that four of the dead are members of Islamic Jihad armed wing, two from Hamas armed wing, and one from the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC).

    The operation lasted for about 18 hours in the area, where an Israeli army spokesman told Israel Radio that the operation was limited and part of the military routine to rein on militants firing rockets at Israel.

    The spokesman said five Israeli soldiers were injured, one seriously, adding that the wounded soldiers were evacuated for treatment in Israeli hospitals.

    During the operation, several militant groups claimed responsibility for launching more homemade rockets and mortar shells at Israel.

    The Islamic Jihad armed wing claimed responsibility for wounding the Israeli soldiers by firing missiles and bombs at the Israeli army forces operating in the area.

Two Palestinian militants take position during an Israeli army incursion in the central Gaza Strip refugee camp of al-Mughazi, Dec. 20, 2007. The Israeli army killed at least four militants in the central Gaza Strip Thursday in the latest military operation in the al-Mughazi refugee camp.(Xinhua Photo)
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The body of a Palestinian militant is carried into a hospital during an Israeli raid into the central Gaza Strip Dec. 20, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The body of a Palestinian militant is carried into a hospital during an Israeli raid into the central Gaza Strip Dec. 20, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Palestinian doctors help Reuters cameraman Nehad Shnaha after he was wounded during an Israeli raid into the central Gaza Strip Dec. 20, 2007.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)