Israeli forces have killed four Palestinians during a raid into Gaza.

Witnesses and hospital officials said on Tuesday that a Hamas fighter and a 40-year-old bystander were killed during the raid on the southern villages of Qarara and Abassan.

Hamas said another of its fighters and his mother were shot dead as they emerged from their home in the area.

At least 12 Palestinians were wounded in the fighting, in which the Israeli troops were backed by aircraft.

An Israeli army spokesman had said the operation was carried out to try to find a suspected tunnel network and prevent cross-border Palestinian rocket fire.

The spokesman said: "During the operation, our forces encountered gunmen and fired on them, hitting at least four."

He did not say whether any tunnels were found during the operation.

PHOTO CAPTION

An Israeli tank patrols near the Erez crossing, July 2007. (AFP)

Al-Jazeera