Israeli forces fire shells at Khan Younis, wounding 7 children

12/12/2004 5:30:00 PM GMT

Israeli occupation forces fired tank shells at the Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, wounding seven schoolchildren, medical officials said on Sunday.

However, the Israeli army denied firing tank shells, and said that soldiers only used light weapons to target resistance fighters, they said were trying to launch a mortar shell.

According to Palestinian officials, four seven-year olds and two nine-year olds were wounded of shrapnel when one shell exploded in the yard behind their school.

"There is nothing to justify this random shelling," Khan Younis Gov. Hosni Zourab said.

Also Sunday, Palestinian fighters fired a mortar shell at an Israeli target in the southern Gaza Strip without causing any damage or injuries, the army said.

According to analysts, firing mortar shells and rockets at Israeli settlements in Gaza and nearby Israeli towns has threatened Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip next year.

Also on Sunday, the Israeli army said that the Palestinian fighters fired three mortar shells and a homemade rocket near Israeli settlements in the northern Gaza Strip, only damaging a building.

On Saturday, thousands of Palestinians took part in the funeral of Rana Siam, who was killed on Friday by the Israeli fire in Khan Younis.

Participants took the body of the seven-year-old child to her family house for a final look before burial amidst heightened emotions.

The Israeli army constantly opens fire randomly at Palestinian homes and residential area, inflicting casualties among civilians, specially children.