At least six Israeli soldiers were killed in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after a land mine blew up their military vehicle, Dubai-based Al Arabiya television said. It said the explosion took place in the Zeitoun area as Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopters raided Gaza. Palestinian witnesses had reported seeing an armored vehicle ripped apart by a large explosion. The Israeli army had no immediate comment. **Israeli troops raid targets Gaza City*** Israeli occupation forces backed by tanks and helicopter gunships have raided the Zaitun quarter of Gaza City. Witnesses on Monday said at least two resistance fighters had been shot while attempting to repulse the attack early on Tuesday morning. As many as twenty more Palestinians are believed to have been wounded in heavy exchanges of fire. Several explosions have been heard around Zaitun. A military occupation spokesman said Israeli forces were searching for Qassam rocket workshops in case of future raids on illegal settlements in the occupied Gaza Strip. But locals said fierce battles erupted when troops sped into the quarter in jeeps, civilian taxis and tanks and forced their way into numerous buildings to set up rooftop observation posts. The spokesman confirmed the army had used explosives to force entry into several buildings but in a move to surround homes belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad resistance fighters. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who is preparing an amended unilateral Gaza pullout plan after his original proposal was voted down by his right-wing Likud party on 2 May, has vowed to continue to strike against resistance groups. **PHOTO CAPTION*** Palestinians carry a man killed during an Israeli raid in Gaza May 11, 2004. (Reuters)