Israeli raids in Gaza kill at least 60

JERUSALEM, March 1 (UPI) -- Israeli forces carried out more attacks in the Gaza Strip Saturday, killing at least 60 Palestinians, half of them civilians.

At least two Israeli soldiers were also killed in the fighting, the heaviest since Israel began escalating its attacks on Gaza Wednesday, The Washington Post reported.

Army troops entered Gaza near the northern town of Sajalya, where armored units were deployed Friday night in response to Qassam rocket attacks, Ynetnews said. The casualties were inflicted during heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters.

David Baker, a spokesman for the Israeli government, told the newspaper he blamed Hamas for the civilian casualties, He accused fighters of using civilians as shields.

The escalation began after Palestinian fighters began firing longer-range rockets into Israel, threatening the city of Ashkelon, the Post reported. Seven rockets landed there Saturday.

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki called the incursion "beyond comprehension."

"What they are doing is pushing people beyond their limits," he said. "They are creating a very strong reaction among the people, so the people will become more desperate and hard-line. Israel is not securing its own interests by this kind of massive killing."