Israeli forces attack Palestinians in Gaza Strip

Israeli helicopters have attacked Palestinian police and security facilities in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli helicopters have attacked Palestinian police and security facilities in the Gaza Strip.

At Khan Younis, in the south of the area, two Palestinians have been slightly injured by shrapnel.

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I was getting ready for morning prayers, when I heard the helicopter. I looked out the window and I saw a red flame coming toward me
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Firefighter Mr Adli Suleiman

Palestinian police say more than 12 missiles struck a military intelligence position and an office of Force 17.

At Deir el-Ballah, in the central Gaza Strip, the regional office of Mr Yasser Arafat's Fatah party has been struck, and at Sudaniye in the northern Gaza Strip the headquarters of the Palestinian naval police has been hit.

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Rescue teams are searching through the rubble at the naval police facility, but there are no immediate reports of casualties there.

At Khan Younis people were on their way to the mosques for the early morning prayers conducted during the holy month of Ramadan, when the attack came.

Firefighter Mr Adli Suleiman said: "I was getting ready for morning prayers, when I heard the helicopter. I looked out the window and I saw a red flame coming toward me."

At least five missiles hit the buildings as he escaped, Mr Suleiman said.

The latest violence comes just one day before two American peace envoys are due to arrive in the region.

The head of the Palestinian Public Security in the Gaza Strip, Brigadier General Abdel Malik el-Majeide said: "This dangerous Israeli escalation ... is aimed at sabotaging American and international efforts to revive the peace process."

PA