Israeli troops killed seven Palestinians, the youngest 13 years old, in a raid into Gaza today to stop reprisal rocket attacks for the assassination of a top Hamas leader.
At least three gunmen died in Israel's deadliest attack for a month in the territory it is planning to abandon - with a clear warning that it will always strike back if it sees fit.
Israel's killing of Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi on Saturday and the March 22nd assassination of the Islamic militant group's spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin have sent tension soaring in Gaza.
A column of tanks backed by helicopter gunships rumbled into the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya before dawn, searching for militants firing makeshift rockets at Israeli towns and Jewish settlements.
The Palestinians were killed in battles over a dusty wasteland of demolished buildings. Another 40 people were wounded. The army said troops had come under heavy fire from rifles, grenades and anti-tank rockets.
"Everyone we hit was either armed or planting bombs," a spokesman said. One teenage stone-thrower crumpled to the ground. Medics said he was in critical condition after being shot in the chest.
Bilal Abu Lehaya told reporters moments earlier he came to "throw stones against the tanks and kick them out of Palestine".
The raid followed a day after four Palestinians were killed and 25 wounded when the Israelis raided the same area.
Vowing "100 retaliations" for Rantissi, Palestinian militants have fired off salvoes of rockets and mortars at Israeli towns near Gaza and at Jewish settlements. At least nine Israelis have been lightly hurt.