The IDF? crossed into the Gaza Strip early Thursday in a raid that captured a local Hamas leader and left his brother dead near the border town of Abasan, witnesses and officials said. Soldiers captured Younis Abu Daka, a local Hamas leader. His brother, Yousef, was killed in the fighting.

As the soldiers backed by tanks and helicopter gunships moved into the area and took up positions on rooftops, gunmen began firing at them, sparking gun battles that wounded two gunmen, Palestinian officials said.

In addition IDF forces arrested 24 wanted PA Arab across Judea and Samaria overnight Thursday.