A powerful explosion has destroyed a Hamas commander's house in northern Gaza, killing at least four people, including a baby girl and young boy.
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Shortly after the explosion, which levelled the house in Beit Lahiya, a barrage of mortars and rockets was fired over the border at Israel.
At least 25 people were wounded and several other houses were damaged.
Earlier in the day, Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants who had been spotted planting explosives near the border fence at the Erez crossing point.
On Wednesday Israel said it would support Egypt's efforts to broker a truce in Gaza Strip but instructed the army to prepare for possible military action if they failed.
Senior defence official Amos Gilas travelled to Cairo on Thursday for talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman.
Speculation
Hamas said an Israeli aircraft attacked the house belonging to Ahmed Hamouda, described as one of the group's senior bomb-makers.
Israel usually confirms its air strikes in Gaza, and its denial raised speculation the explosion was caused by militants mishandling explosives.
It is not known if any other people were buried in the debris, nor if Mr Hamouda was inside the house at the time of the explosion.
Neighbours brought digging equipment to search for survivors and three people covered in blood were carried away on stretchers.
Witnesses spoke of a "huge explosion" which totally destroyed the building.
"There are people still buried under the rubble. I evacuated two women who were covered in dust and blood in my car," said neighbour Majid Abu Samra.
Hamas officials insisted Israel was to blame and called it a "heinous massacre".
(BBC)
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