Israeli helicopters hit house, car in Gaza

<br> <br>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) _ Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles at a building and two cars in Gaza City on Tuesday in what appeared to be the beginning of a new campaign against Palestinian

Tuesday, March 16th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) _ Israeli attack helicopters fired missiles at a building and two cars in Gaza City on Tuesday in what appeared to be the beginning of a new campaign against Palestinian militants. Hospital officials said at least two people were killed.

The missiles destroyed the one-story building and the cars, wounding at least 13 people, three critically, hospital officials said. The Israeli military said the building housed ``Islamic Jihad terrorists, involved in attacks against Israelis.''

One of the wounded said four missiles hit the apartment building just after sundown, and witnesses said the two cars, parked outside, were also hit.

Smoke was seen rising from the Nasser neighborhood in northern Gaza City near a refugee camp. Israeli fighter planes flew overhead just after the attack.

Hundreds of angry Palestinians gathered outside the destroyed building and called for revenge against Israel.

The airstrike came just hours after Israel's Security Cabinet decided to step up attacks against Hamas militants in Gaza, a security official said.

The decision was in response to a double suicide bombing Sunday in the seaport of Ashdod, killing 10 Israelis. It was the first time in more than three years of fighting that Palestinian bombers managed to get out of Gaza to carry out an attack.

Channel Two TV said the strike was part of the stepped-up campaign that would include daily attacks against militants from Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad, both responsible for many suicide bombings.