Israeli forces crossed into the Gaza Strip early on Thursday in a raid that captured a local Hamas militant leader and left his brother dead near a Gaza border town, Palestinian witnesses and officials said. As the forces—backed by tanks and helicopter gunships—moved into the area of Abasan and took up positions on rooftops, Hamas men began firing at them, sparking gunbattles that wounded two men, Palestinian officials said.Hamas officials identified the captured man as Younis Abu Daka, a local Hamas leader and a lecturer at the Islamic University in Gaza City. His brother, Yousef, was killed in the fighting, the group said. The army confirmed that a senior Hamas operative was arrested, and at least one Hamas fighter was killed. It did not identify the men.Meanwhile, Israeli police questioned President Moshe Katsav for a second day on Thursday over allegations of sexual harrassment, having interrogated him a day before for more than five hours. A lawmaker, meanwhile, was collecting signatures needed to begin the impeachment process.The probe focuses on accusations by two former female employees to the police that Katsav harrassed them. One of the women has also reportedly accused Katsav of receiving money for granting pardons—one of the few authorities vested in the president who has a largely ceremonial role.Katsav, who denies wrongdoing, has said he will not resign.However, with the investigation intensifying, calls are growing for Katsav to step aside, at least until the investigation is completed.Yoram Marciano, a Labour Party lawmaker, said he has started collecting the minimum 20 signatures from legislators to begin the impeachment process in Parliament.
