Dart bombs 'killed four Palestinians'

Palestinian officials have condemned Israel's reported use of tank shells which are said to have sprayed thousands of metal darts at a target in Gaza, killing four Palestinian civilians.
Israeli media said the Israeli army confirmed it used flechettes in an operation near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim, south of Gaza City, on Thursday.

Palestinian medical officials said the victims were cut to shreds after being hit by the tiny metal darts, which are dispersed by a tank shell.

Israel expressed regret for the loss of life, saying the army had opened fire on suspicious figures seen crawling towards the settlement.

A Palestinian woman, her two sons and their cousin were killed when the shell landed on a Bedouin encampment in the village of Sheikh Ajlin.