GAZA, Oct. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A nine-year-old Palestinian girl was killed in Israeli tank shells on the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis, Palestinian security sources said on Thursday.

    Rania Arram was shot dead Thursday morning when Israeli tanks heavily shelled the refugee camp of al Amal neighborhood west of Khan Yunis.

    Medics at Nasser hospital in the city said that Arram was shot in the neck and she died shortly after arrival at the hospital.

    Eyewitnesses said that Israeli tanks stationed in outposts of the settlement of Neveh Dekalim opened intensive fire at houses in eastern Khan Yunis, causing severe damage to the houses.

    Meanwhile, Israeli troops stationed around the settlement of Netsarim on Thursday shelled Sheikh Ejlein and al Zahra, cities in southern Gaza Strip, causing no casualties, Palestinian security sources said.

    The sources also said that Israeli helicopters shelled al Namsawi neighborhood in khan Yunis at predawn Thursday.

    In addition, nine-year-old Hossam Madi was shot in the leg when Israeli soldiers opened fire at houses in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah at midnight. Enditem