Heavy and fierce gun battles took place on Monday night between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants in eastern and northern Gaza City, witnesses in Gaza said.

Israeli soldiers fire tear gas at Palestinian protestors during a clash in the West Bank city of Hebron, on January 5, 2009. Palestinians on Monday held a protest in Hebron against Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and clashed with Israeli soldiers.[Xinhua]

The witnesses said that they can hear heavy and intensive tanks shelling on the area known as Tufah neighborhood in eastern Gaza City, adding that Israeli soldiers and militants were exchanging heavy gunfire in the area.

Resident of Gaza Mohamed el-Aklouk said dozens of shells were fired at eastern and northern Gaza city within less than 30 minutes, adding that several houses were destroyed in the area.

Rescue teams and paramedics told local radio stations that there were lots of fatalities in the area, adding that ambulances were not able to reach into the area due to the intensive tanks shelling.

F16 warplanes flew over Gaza city and hit several targets as the gun battle was still going on, said el-Aklouk, adding that most people in northern and western Gaza city kept indoors, hearing the heavy shelling and strikes.

Medical sources estimated that the death toll in Monday hit to 50 people and more than 150 wounded, most of them are civilians.

They said paramedics are waiting for a little calm to get into the area and rescue the people.

Heavy and fierce gun battles took place on Monday night between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants in eastern and northern Gaza City, witnesses in Gaza said.