Army source reported Friday that four armed Palestinians were killed by soldiers as they attempted to plant an explosive device near the al-Bureij refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz will meet Friday with security officials after five Qassam rockets landed in Sderot region earlier in the day, causing damage to some municipal infrastructure.
Security officials said that the month long army operations in northern Gaza have not proven to be effective, and a reassessment of the situation is needed.
3 Resistance Fighters Killed, Two More Qassams on Sderot, Army Invades Beit Lahiya
After two Qassam Rockets landed in Negev town of Sderot on Thursday morning, army expanded its operation in Beit Hanoun area, moving into the town of Beit Lahyia.
Also on Thursday, two Palestinian resistance fighters were killed in an air strike at their car in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah.
Palestinian medical source identified the two killed to be Fatah activist Omar Abu-Sita and his associate Zaki Abu-Zarka.
Israeli security source said Thursday that Abu-Sita, commander of the breakaway Abu Rish faction, was high on the list of wanted Palestinians to Israeli security forces, caliming that he was responsible for several military attacks against Israeli targets.
Around 5,000 residents joined the funeral of Abu-Sita and Abu-Zarka, where calls for revenge were heard.
"God willing, Sharon and his soldiers will pay a heavy price for this crime. Our retaliation is coming soon," a masked gunman said in the funeral.
As well on Thursday, in the West Bank village of Zaida, north of Tul Karm, army shot dead Zahar Ashkar, 27.
Israeli seucirty source said that Ashkar, who led a joint Islamic Jihad-Fatah armed group, was killed in an exchange of fire with troops, and was responsible for several armed attacks against Israeli targets.
