6 Palestinians killed, 8 wounded

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Six Palestinians were killed and eight wounded in the northern Gaza Strip today by what Palestinian hospital officials said was Israeli tank fire.

The Israeli military said its actions came in response to Palestinian mortar attacks on an industrial zone near the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza. Officials said an Israeli was lightly hurt by the mortar fire, but had no immediate comment on the Israeli tank fire.

Palestinian witnesses said two Israeli tank shells hit the edge of the town of Beit Lahiya, close to Erez.

Hospital officials said two of the wounded were in critical condition.

Palestinian militants have stepped up mortar and rocket fire on Israeli settlements in Gaza and border towns in recent weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has warned the military would respond harshly.

Rival militant groups have been jockeying for power ahead of the planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in the summer and are trying to portray the pullback as a retreat under fire.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat condemned what he said was “continued Israeli military escalation.”

“We call on the international community to pressure Israel to stop these actions,” Erekat said.