Hamas fighters killed in gun battles in southern Israel: Army

The Israeli military has issued statements saying there have been exchanges of gunfire between its armed forces and Hamas fighters in two kibbutzim near Gaza.

Four Hamas fighters have been killed as a result, they say.

We have also been told by the Israeli military that

there was an exchange of gunfire in the industrial area of Ashkelon, in which three Hamas fighters were

killed.

Meanwhile, massive Israeli military buildup continues

along Gaza's border.

Al Jazeera's Mohamed Jamjoom reports from Ashdod in southern Israel.