More than 30 Palestinians wounded in new Israeli attack

The remains of a police jeep after missile attack

GAZA CITY, Gaza (CNN) -- More than 30 Palestinians were wounded early Wednesday when Israeli forces attacked a Palestinian refugee camp with tanks and helicopters, witnesses said.

Palestinian eyewitnesses said they saw shelling by tanks and Israeli helicopter gunships firing missiles near Khan Yunis and a block of Jewish settlements. A few houses were destroyed in the attack, they said.

Israeli military officials denied they used helicopters, but confirmed there was a "very heavy" exchange of small arms fire in the area.

On Tuesday, Israeli missiles hit the Palestinian naval police headquarters near Gaza City where one person was killed.

VIDEO CNN's Mike Hanna has more on the continuing violence in the Mideast Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     AUDIO CNN's Mike Hanna: Palestinians see attack as declaration of war 620K/66.sec. AIFF or WAV sound

In a separate strike, anti-tank shells hit a Palestinian military intelligence building in Deir el-Balah.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said at least 14 people were injured in the two attacks.

"This is a declaration of war and we have to defend ourselves," said the head of Palestinian national security, Abdul Raza Majaideh. "These attacks are part of a series of Israeli aggressions on the Palestinian people without reason."

Israel said the strikes were in response to ongoing Palestinian mortar attacks on Jewish settlements.

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Israel Defense Force
Palestinian National Authority

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