Israeli troops killed three Palestinians in two separate incidents early Saturday in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian security officials said. The Israeli army confirmed it shot one man in central Gaza after he had approached the security fence along the border with Israel, but said it was unclear whether he was armed. Palestinians could not immediately identify the man, the Associated Press reported. Israeli troops, backed by tanks and helicopters, also raided a border town in northern Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding two others, Palestinian security officials said. The army confirmed the operation in the town of Beit Hanoun, and said that in the exchange of fire with gunmen they had hit a number of men inside the building. Palestinian officials said a 55-year-old man and his 23-year-old son,were killed after troops surrounded their house and a gunbattle ensued. Two women from the same family were wounded, they said. Israeli ordnance also hit a nearby house, injuring five people, the officials said.
