GAZA, Sept. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- A Palestinian was shot dead and nineothers injured on Thursday in the central Gaza town of Deir el-Ballah as Israeli troops opened intensive gunfire at the residents'houses.

    The Israeli soldiers raided Abu Ereif neighborhood in the town,firing heavy tank shells and gunfire, said Palestinian sources,adding one Palestinian young man was killed and nine others wereinjured, including three children.

    Witnesses said eight Palestinians were arrested and taken to theJewish settlement of Kfar Darom, east of the town.Meanwhile, Israel's Army Radio reported Thursday an Israeli armyforce unit discovered a tunnel under a house in southern Deir el-Ballah.

    The Israeli army claimed that the tunnel was dug by Palestinianmilitants who planned to use it to reach Jewish settlements andIsraeli army outposts to carry out attacks. Enditem