Israeli soldier, Hamas commander killed in Gaza

An Israeli soldier and a Hamas military commander have been killed during an Israeli Special Forces operation inside Gaza, the media reported on Monday.

The operation took place on Sunday night in circumstances that have yet to become fully clear, but resulted in six other Palestinian deaths, and a second Israeli soldier moderately wounded, CNN reported.

Hamas identified the deceased military commander as 37-year-old Nour Baraka of the Qassam Brigades.

Neither of the Israeli soldiers have been named.

Reports of the Palestinian deaths were followed by sirens, indicating incoming rocket fire, sounding in Israeli communities close to Gaza.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it had identified 10 launches; it said the Iron Dome aerial defence system had made two interceptions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he was cutting short his visit to Paris and was returning to Israel overnight, according to a statement from his office.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two prominent militant groups in Gaza, announced that their fighters were also on high alert.

Israel blamed Islamic Jihad for the last sharp escalation over Gaza two weeks ago, accusing the group of firing dozens of rockets at Israel at the instruction of Iran.

--IANS

ksk