Eleventh Palestinian killed in Khan Younis

The eleventh Palestinian was killed by Israeli troops in the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on December 18, Palestinian medics said.

A Palestinian was killed and 10 were wounded at al-Namsawi neighborhood in western Khan Younis when an Israeli army tank fired a tank shell at a group of Palestinians gathering in the area, said the medics.

Earlier in the day, Ibrahim al-Farra, 23, a member of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, was shot dead in an exchange of fire with Israeli soldiers in the western part of the town.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) urged the international community to press Israel to immediately stop the "massacre".

The Israeli offensive, dubbed "the Orange Iron", began before dawn on Friday in southern Gaza to prevent Palestinian militants from launching mortar shells against Jewish settlements.

Dozens of tanks, armored vehicles and bulldozers backed by Apache helicopters and drones participated in the operation.

The Israeli army said the operation would take as long as they deem necessary.

Source: Xinhua