GAZA CITY - Nine Palestinians were killed and 24 others wounded Thursday during Israeli bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahiya, local medical sources said.
Two militants from the armed wing of governing Palestinian movement Hamas members were previously reported to be the only casualties.
Israeli forces launched two air raids on the Atatra neighborhood in western Beit Lahiya, which was hit simultanously by tank shelling, a Palestinian security source said.
An Israeli army spokesman said the army launched an air raid targeting three armed Palestinians in Beit Lahiya, but denied either artillery or tank fire was part of the attack.
The casualties bring to 15 the number of Palestinians killed since Israeli tanks and troops pushed into the northern Gaza Strip late Wednesday in their biggest offensive since leaving the territory last year.
07/06/2006 13:57 GMT