2 Israelis, 4 Palestinians die in Gaza

JERUSALEM, March 26 (UPI) -- Two Israeli soldiers and at least four Palestinian militants were killed in fighting Friday in Gaza, officials said.

Israeli soldiers, backed by tanks and helicopters, entered Gaza in response to apparent setting of explosive devices near the border fence, The Jerusalem Post reported. Israeli military officials said later they were unsure if the soldiers walked into a prepared ambush or if they were attacked because they crossed the border.

Hamas described the clash as an ambush and took credit for it in a radio broadcast. But Israeli officials said they believed a group modeled on al-Qaida with no ties to Hamas was responsible.

The soldiers, identified as Maj. Eliraz Peretz and Staff Sgt. Ilan Sviatkovsky, were killed when a Palestinian bullet struck a grenade one of them was carrying, causing an explosion, officials said. The blast wounded two other soldiers, one of them seriously.

"This is a hard day for the State of Israel and for the Israel Defense Force," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said. "Israel's strong positions against those wishing to harm its civilians and soldiers are well known."