March 16, 2004
By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles at an apartment building and a car in Gaza City on Tuesday, and witnesses said at least three people were killed. Hospital officials said eight were wounded, three critically.

The airstrike came just hours after Israel's Security Cabinet decided to step up attacks against Hamas militants in Gaza, a security official said.

The decision was in response to a double suicide bombing Sunday in the seaport of Ashdod, killing 10 Israelis. It was the first time in more than three years of fighting that Palestinian bombers managed to get out of Gaza to carry out an attack.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment on the Gaza strikes. Ambulances and Palestinian security forces raced to the scene.

One of the wounded said four missiles hit the apartment building.

Smoke was seen rising from the northern Nasser neighborhood near a refugee camp. Israeli fighter planes flew over Gaza City just after the attack.

Channel Two TV said the strike was part of the stepped-up campaign that would include daily attacks against militants from Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad, both responsible for many suicide bombing attacks.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&e=2&u=/ap/20040316/ap_on_re_mi_ea/gaza_explosions