Hamas leader shot dead

GAZA CITY - Israeli soldiers shot dead Imad Akel, head of the armed wing of Hamas, the Islamic Resistance Movement, military officials said, AFP reports. Akel, 24, head of Ezzedin al-Kassem, was shot dead in Gaza City.

Soldiers ordered two occupants of a vehicle to stop, but they fled on foot, the officials said. Akel, one of the occupants, opened fire and the soldiers fired back, fatally wounding him.