Children killed in Gaza explosion

Palestinians in Khan Younis watch an Israeli tank position

Two Palestinian children have been killed in an explosion in south Gaza.

Hospital sources said seven-year-old Ahmed al-Smari and his eight-year-old cousin, Mohammed, died when a tank shell hit their home in Khan Younis.

An Israeli army spokesman has categorically denied that the Israeli forces were operating in the area at the time of the explosion.

The Israeli spokesman speculated that the explosion was caused by a roadside device intended for Israeli forces.

Two Israeli soldiers suffered minor injuries on Friday when explosive devises went off during an operation near the Gaza-Egyptian border.

Reports say three Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces in Gaza on Thursday in the Bureij refugee camp. According to an Israeli army statement, a tank had targeted four Palestinians carrying an explosive device.

The Gaza Strip has been occupied by Israel since it captured the territory in the 1967 war.

About 1.4 million Palestinians live in Gaza, of which 900,000 are refugees from conflicts with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is planning to withdraw settlers and Israeli soldiers from Gaza next year, though Israel will maintain control of Gaza's borders, coastline and airspace.