Israeli strike kills 10 children in Gaza refugee camp

At least 10 Palestinian children were killed and others injured on Monday by an Israeli strike on the western Gaza City Al-Shati Camp, a Palestinian Health Ministry official said.

The source, who asked not to be named, added that the bodies of at least ten children arrived at Al-Shefaa Hospital, having been killed by an Israeli strike on a camp public park.

He added that scores of other injured victims from the strike had also arrived at the hospital. He described as "critical" the conditions of some of the victims.

The Israeli army, however, Monday categorically denied firing on a hospital and a refugee camp in Gaza City, accusing Hamas fighters of misfiring their own rockets.

"We have not fired on the hospital or on Shati refugee camp," Major Arye Shalicar told AFP, referring to a strike on a beachfront refugee camp where 10 people were killed, eight of them children.

Two Palestinians, including a child, were killed earlier on Monday by an Israeli strike on the northern Gaza Strip town of Jabalia.

Israel launched a series of aerial strikes on different parts of the Gaza Strip on Monday, the first day in the Islamic feast.

The Israeli army on Monday sent messages to thousands of Palestinians living near Gaza City to flee shortly after a mortar shell killed at least four people in Israel.

"A short while ago, phonecalls were made and text messages were sent out to the civilian population of Shejaiya, Zeitun and eastern Jabaliya calling them to evacuate immediately towards central Gaza City," a statement from the army said, referring to three areas to the north, south and east of Gaza City.