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Sources: Hamas leader killed in Gaza incursion

Two children also killed, Palestinians say

Gaza City residents at hospital
Gaza City residents wait at a hospital for news of a relative injured in Thursday's incursion.

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GAZA CITY (CNN) -- Israeli troops surrounded and attacked the home of a Hamas military leader Thursday in Gaza, killing him and his two brothers, Palestinian security sources said.

At least 10 other Palestinians, including a 2-year-old and a 13-year-old, died in the attack and 47 others were wounded, the sources said.

Israeli military sources said eight soldiers were wounded, with two in serious condition.

The gun battle came as hopes were rising that the "road map" peace initiative would provide an escape from the endless cycle of violence in the Middle East and about 24 hours after two suicide bombers targeted a bar in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israeli military officials said the battle was intended to target Yusef Abu Ghin and his brothers Iman and Mahmoud. The Israel Defense Forces said the brothers were involved in Wednesday's Qassam rocket attacks from Gaza and in planning and conducting other attacks.

The military wing of Hamas, Izzedine al Qassam, and Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant offshoot of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for Wednesday's attack. Both groups are on the U.S. State Department list of terrorist organizations.

Palestinian security sources said Israeli army tanks, bulldozers and Apache helicopters early Thursday surrounded the house of Abu Ghin, an Izzedine al Qassam leader wanted by Israeli authorities.

Israeli troops ordered those inside the four-story house to come out. When they did not, a gun battle erupted, and the standoff continued for hours with troops and occupants of the house exchanging gunfire, witnesses said.

Israeli military sources would only say Israeli troops were fired on as they entered the Gaza City neighborhood of Sajaiyah to carry out arrests and the Israeli forces returned fire. By Thursday evening, the Israeli troops had pulled out, Palestinian sources said.

In the West Bank, Palestinian security sources said two Palestinians were killed Wednesday night near the town of Hebron.

According to Israeli military sources, troops were on patrol in Yatta near Hebron when they encountered an armed Palestinian cell. The sources said gunfire was exchanged and at least two Palestinians were hurt.

The bloodshed brought quick condemnation from a top Palestinian official.

"The Israeli government should have responded when they received the road map with words and not bullets," said chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat.

"We condemn these Israeli attacks that claimed the lives of ... Palestinians, including children. We urge the [Middle East] 'quartet' to immediately begin the implementation of the road map."

The so-called quartet -- the European Union, United States, Russia and United Nations -- drew up the road map. It outlines a three-year, three-phase plan to bring peace to the region. (Highlights)

The plan seeks a Palestinian crackdown on militias such as Izzedine al Qassam.

Israeli officials said Israel is looking into whether there is a possible connection between the Tel Aviv bombing and international terror groups such as Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network or Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim militia based in southern Lebanon.

Three people and a suicide bomber died in the attack on Mike's Place -- a blues bar near the U.S. Embassy. A second bomber escaped. Israeli police have said both bombers were British citizens who entered Israel from Gaza.

CNN's Michal Zippori and Kelly Wallace contributed to this report from Jerusalem, and Talal Abu Rahma contributed from Gaza City.


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