GAZA, July 5 (RIA Novosti) - At least three Palestinians were killed in central Gaza early Thursday during clashes with Israeli troops, a local radio station reported.
The Islamist group Hamas said those killed were members of its militant wing. The Israeli army confirmed it had conducted an operation inside the Gaza Strip involving aircraft and armored vehicles, and reported sporadic clashes with militants.
Earlier in June, Hamas seized control of Gaza, ousting President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement following bloody fighting which left dozens dead.
Abbas dissolved the coalition government with Hamas following the seizure of Gaza and formed an interim government based in the West Bank, which has received international backing.
