By IBRAHIM BARZAK Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli warplanes bombed the Palestinian Foreign Ministry building in Gaza City early Monday, the second attack on the ministry in a week, witnesses said.
An Associated Press reporter on the scene saw clouds of smoke rising from the already damaged building after the strike by an Israeli warplane. At least five people were injured, rescue workers said.
The Israeli military refused to comment.
The huge blast collapsed an eight-story wing of the building and damaged houses in a wide area around the ministry. Black smoke covered the area as police vehicles and ambulances raced in, sirens blaring.
The wounded were in nearby houses. The ministry was thought to be empty at the time of the strike, 1:20 a.m. local time.
Israel bombed the same building on Thursday, saying it was used to plan terror attacks. The Palestinian foreign minister is Mahmoud Zahar, a top Hamas leader.
Israel has been attacking Gaza since June 28, three days after Hamas-linked militants tunneled under the border and attacked an Israeli army post at a Gaza crossing, killing two soldiers and capturing a third.
An hour before the ministry bombing, Israeli aircraft fired at least five missiles at Palestinian militants during battles in northern Gaza early Monday, Palestinian security officials said.
At least two militants were wounded, hospital officials said.
Palestinian security officials said three of the missiles were aimed at militants firing rocket-propelled grenades near the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, across from the Israeli town of Sderot, a frequent target of Palestinian rockets.
Another missile was aimed at a Hamas office in the Jebaliya refugee camp, setting it on fire, residents said. No one was hurt. Also, an aircraft fired a missile at a farm building where militants were thought to be hiding. Ambulances were racing to the scene.
The military confirmed that its forces have been firing missiles in northern Gaza but had no further details.
Israeli forces moved back into northern Gaza early Sunday, 10 days after completing a two-day sweep aimed at confronting militants who have been firing rockets at Israel.
Israel said its Gaza offensive was meant to win the soldier's release and to end Palestinian rocket fire at Israeli communities around Gaza. Two rockets fired during the offensive reached as far as the city of Ashkelon, 7 miles northeast of Gaza.
Yuval Diskin, the head of Israel's Shin Bet security service, told Israel's Cabinet on Sunday that he believed Shalit was still alive, according to a participant in the meeting.
Goodnight all. I must get some sleep or I will turn into a bat!