Gaza City: At least 16 Palestinians, including four boys, were killed today when an Israeli air raid struck a mosque during prayers in the northern town of Jabaliya, medics and witnesses said.

Dozens of people were wounded in the strike on the Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque, which was reduced to rubble, they said.

Four children -- two brothers, aged 10 and 12 and two cousins under 16 -- were among the dead, medics said.

More than 200 people were inside the mosque praying when it was struck, witnesses said.

The Israeli military has destroyed several mosques during its week-long offensive on Hamas targets in its Gaza stronghold, saying the Islamists used the houses of worship to store weapons.
Source : PTI