Landmine kills six Israeli soldiers

Palestinian militants used a landmine to kill six Israeli soldiers this morning and then filmed the bodies being taken from their devastated vehicle.

The attack by Hamas came after Israeli forces renewed their assault on suspected militant bases in Gaza City.

At least three Palestinians were also killed after undercover soldiers were smuggled into the Zeitoun area of the city in civilian taxis and jeeps in an operation aimed at dismantling weapons factories.

As news of their arrival spread, local militia engaged in intense street gun battles with the troops.

The Israelis were killed when their armoured personnel carrier ran over the Hamas landmine. Palestinian witnesses told how the vehicle was ripped apart by the explosion-A Hamas spokesman immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, one of several on Israeli vehicles during the incursion, and said it had also filmed the aftermath.

It is the latest escalation of violence following Israeli Prime Minister Arie l Sharon's aborted plan for a "unilateral disengagement" from the Gaza strip.

His hard-line Likud Party rejected the plan on the same day a pregnant Israeli settler and her four young daughters were shot dead at point-blank range by Palestinians.

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks and bulldozers went into the Rafah refugee camp and tore down a building. No casualties were reported.