Six Palestinians including two Hamas commanders were killed during an Israeli shootout in the east of the town of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
A deputy commander of Hamas’ military wing Nur Barakeh along with Muhammad al-Qara were reportedly shot down during an operation carried out by Israel Defence Forces (IDF) specialist unit.
Bodies of the slain Palestinians were taken to the European hospital, where mourners including – Nur Barakeh’s mother – were allowed to visit.
During the IDF operation, an Israeli officer was also killed and another was injured.
Israeli forces reportedly carried out an airstrike on the site of the raid shortly after the shootout, hitting the area with as many as 40 missiles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided to cut short his visit to Paris marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One and return to Israel to monitor the situation.