Palestinian medics say four Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Gaza Strip Friday, as Israel continues to retaliate for Hamas rocket attacks.
Sources say at least three of those killed were Hamas militants. Several people were wounded.
On Thursday, Israeli warplanes pounded Hamas targets, killing at least six Palestinians. Israeli tanks also crossed into Gaza during the day.
Hamas has launched scores of rockets into southern Israel in recent days, but Israel has vowed to defend itself.
Late Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited the southern Israeli town of Sderot, where several people have been wounded in the rocket attacks.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factional fighting between Hamas and Fatah continued Thursday in the Gaza Strip.
More than 45 people, including three on Thursday, have been killed since the latest round of factional clashes broke out Sunday.
Palestinian officials say President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah canceled a trip to Gaza on Thursday out of fear that Hamas militants may attack his convoy.
Mr. Abbas had planned to meet with Hamas leaders on ways to end the factional fighting. Previous ceasefires have quickly collapsed since the latest clashes began.
The fighting is threatening to bring down the fragile unity government of Hamas and Fatah.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
