Israeli missile boats early Saturday morning opened fire on Palestinian naval targets in Gaza, setting a fuel depot and a barracks on fire, Palestinian security sources said. Palestinian police Friday detained two senior Palestinian officials suspected of trying to smuggle a boatload of arms into Gaza, Palestinian security sources said.
Israel dismissed the move as insufficient.
The barracks had been abandoned and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
The Israeli vessels also destroyed a small patrol boat used by the naval police, which was on the dock for maintenance, Palestinian security sources said.
The Israeli army said the missile boats also destroyed the "Jindalla," a cargo and fishing boat operated by the Palestinian naval police and used, on occasion, by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Bureau Report