Israeli Apache helicopters fired several missiles at central Gaza Strip on Friday night, targeting several places, witnesses said.

The helicopters hovered on northern Gaza Strip and fired at least six missiles, said the witnesses, adding that two explosions were heard. Fire fighters and ambulances rushed to the targeted place.

Three places were hit by the six missiles, the witnesses said, adding that one is an empty store and the other is a metal workshop, no injuries were reported.

A goldsmith was also hit by the missiles, causing severe damage, but no casualties were reported.

Eye witnesses said that dozens of men, women and children were seen in the streets in a shock and panic following the airstrikes. Israel claims that the metal workshops and gold smiths are manufacturing homemade rockets and mortar shells that Palestinian militants use against Jewish settlements.
 
(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2004)