Hamas militant killed in Gaza explosion
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A member of the militant group Hamas has been killed in an explosion along Gaza's fence with Israel, the group said Sunday.
The Islamic group's military wing says the member was killed and another injured during a "holy mission." Such language is used when explosives meant for an attack on Israel explode prematurely.
Palestinian security force officers from Hamas, right and left, stand in front of Palestinians waiting to cross into Egypt for medical treatment at the Rafah border crossing, in the southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, May 10, 2008. Egyptian authorities ordered a three-day opening of the Rafah border crossing on Saturday to allow Palestinians to cross into Egypt from the Gaza Strip for medical treatment, said a security official at the terminal. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
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Israel's army said it was not operating in the area at the time of the explosion early Sunday.
Fighting has escalated since an Israeli man was killed in a mortar shell attack on southern Israel on Friday. In retaliation, Israeli forces fired missiles that killed five Hamas militants.
Gazan militants fire rockets and mortars daily. Israel frequently launches airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza against the rocket squads.
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