IDF bombs some 30 smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza

The Israel Air Force bombed more than 50 targets across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, including 30 smuggling tunnels in the southern part of the coastal territory.

Palestinian medical officials said at least 18 gunmen and three civilians were killed during fighting between Israeli soldiers and Hamas gunmen over the course of the day.

Also Tuesday, an Israel Defense Forces soldier was critically wounded and another two troops sustained moderate wounds in an explosion at a booby-trapped house in Gaza City.

Palestinian witnesses said the Israeli forces moved overnight about 300 meters into Tel Hawwa, a neighborhood of high-rise buildings on the southeastern edge of Gaza City.

The army said troops had killed overnight about 30 gunmen in the coastal territory.

IDF infantry, tanks, combat engineers, artillery, and intelligence units continued to operate overnight against Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip, the army said. During the operations, IDF troops engaged approximately fifteen squads of armed gunmen.

Militants opened fire at IDF troops from the yard of a mosque, according to the army, after which the soldiers returned fire.

Two rigged tunnels located near the security fence were uncovered by soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip, the army said, and troops fired at three gunmen and seized a large amount of arms in the area.

The Israel Air Force, meanwhile, continued to rain fire on targets throughout Gaza overnight. According to the army, IAF aircraft attacked over 60 targets throughout the Gaza Strip.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Monday sent a message to a number of world leaders that Israel wants to see a diplomatic move through Egypt that would lead to a cessation of arms-smuggling into Gaza, before the Gaza operation enters its third phase.

Some 30 Palestinians were killed Monday in Gaza, bringing the total number of dead to approximately 920, with another 4,200 injured.