Palestinian gunmen and car bombers attacked a major crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Israel on early today. At least four attackers and two Palestinian policemen were killed.
The elaborately choreographed assault began when a vehicle sped toward an Israeli checkpoint near the Erez Crossing and exploded, the Israeli military said. Three assailants jumped out of a second vehicle disguised as an army jeep and opened fire as the driver sped on. Israeli troops fired back, killing all three.
Moments later, a third vehicle, also made to look like an army jeep, blew up away from the crossing point after it was apparently blocked from entering. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone was in the vehicle.
Witnesses said heavy Israeli gunfire followed the blasts. Body parts were strewn around the wreckage.
Two Palestinian policemen were killed. The military said they died as the third car exploded, but Palestinian hospital officials said they died in the gunfire. Nineteen others were wounded.
The militant groups Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack, posting a message on the Hamas Web site that called it a joint "self-sacrifice operation."
The groups had promised revenge for recent Israeli air-strikes that killed several militants.
There are concerns that violence in Gaza could surge ahead of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the territory. Israel has said it would withdraw from much of Gaza and parts of the West Bank if peace talks remain frozen in coming months.