GAZA, April 8, 2011 (WAFA) – A mother and her daughter were among seven Palestinians killed on Friday in Israeli shelling of different areas of the Gaza Strip, according to medical sources. This brought to 12 the number of Palestinians killed in the last two days.

Najah Qdeih, 45, and her daughter, Nidal, 19, were in their home near Khan Yunis when an Israeli shell hit their house, killing both and wounding four others, one of them, Nida, another daughter, reported in critical condition.

Before this, a 55-year-old man was killed, also when a shell fell in an area he was in, killing him immediately.

Earlier in the day, a drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinians near Khan Yunis killing two and wounding four others. The two were said to be members of Hamas’ military wing, Izeddin Al-Qassam Brigades.

The latest in the Friday killings took place in Shajaiyeh, north of the Gaza Strip, when a shell hit teenagers playing in the town, killing two and wounding 10 others, said the medical sources. Bodies of the two were cut to pieces, they said.

Five Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes and shelling on Thursday, mainly in the southern Rafah area.

The Israeli killings Friday came in spite of a late night decision by the political factions in Gaza to cease fire, expressing hope that Israel would reciprocate. However, only hours later, Israel fired a missile and killed the two Al-Qassam fighters.

Palestinians responded to the Israeli shelling by firing short and long range missiles at Israeli targets north and east of Gaza reaching as far as Asqalan. The missiles did not cause any harm among the Israelis.

Israeli officials have threatened to escalate the assault on Gaza until they put an end to the firing of missile on the Israeli towns.

M.A.