Five Palestinians killed in Israeli bombardments

May 27, 2007 - 0:0
GAZA CITY (AFP) - Israeli planes pounded more targets in Gaza on Saturday, killing five people.

Senior Palestinian ruling coalition partner Hamas put the onus on Israel for any hope of an end to the rocket fire that has prompted the Israeli air strikes, demanding it to stop shooting first.

Five Palestinians were killed and eight wounded in a quick succession of four morning air raids on buildings used by the paramilitary Executive Force loyal to Hamas, medical sources said.

The bodies of three Palestinians were found under the rubble of a building destroyed in one attack, in Zeitun settlement south of Gaza City. Six people were wounded, two of whom died later.

Two other Executive Force posts were attacked, one in the nearby Shati refugee camp, where four people were wounded, and the other at Rafah in southern Gaza.

The fourth raid targeted a training camp at Khan Yunis, also in the south. No casualties were reported.

At least 45 Gazans have been killed in air strikes since May 16.