Israeli troops in a column of tanks raided the Gaza town of Khan Younis early on May 4, killing a Palestinian boy and a gunman.

Israeli military helicopters launched a missile at gunmen firing at Israeli forces shortly after midnight, medics said. Several people were wounded in the raid.

The attack was launched hours after Sharon said he would make alterations to a plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and then present it to parliament for approval, despite losing a referendum on the initiative by his right-wing Likud party.