Violence persist in Gaza

GAZA, July 2 (UPI) -- A Palestinian man was seriously wounded by Israeli army fire in Rafah in the south of Gaza Saturday, Palestinian medics and security sources said.

They said Mohammed Ismail Najjar, 23, suffered serious injuries when Israeli troops positioned near the Jewish settlement of Morag opened tank and automatic fire at a nearby Palestinian quarter.

He was rushed to the local hospital in nearby Khan Younes.

In another development, Islamic Jihad's military wing, al-Quds Brigades, claimed responsibility for bombing an Israeli military jeep in the settlement of Atsamona, also in Rafah.

A Jihad statement said militants detonated a 30-kilograms explosive charge under the jeep, which was patrolling the settlement.

"The militants returned safely to base after scoring a direct hit on the target," the statement said, adding the attack was in response to the ongoing arrest campaign targeting Jihad leaders and members.