Israeli forces invaded a refugee camp in central Gaza early Thursday and killed a local leader of the Islamic Jihad group, Palestinians and Israeli military sources said.

Palestinians said soldiers surrounded the house of Jihad Abu Shwairah, 34, and exchanged fire with gunmen. Then a helicopter fired two missiles at the house, killing the militant, they said.

Military sources said the purpose of the operation was to arrest militants. Soldiers came under heavy fire and clashed with gunmen. Six soldiers were wounded, and one Palestinian was killed, the Israeli sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Since a cease-fire broke down last month, Israel has been carrying out raids in Gaza aimed at killing leaders of Hamas, the larger of the two violent Islamic groups. Arrest raids are also common.

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