GAZA CITY -- Three young girls were wounded, one of them seriously, when the Israeli Army fired tank shells Friday in the southern Gaza Strip Refugee Camp of Khan Yunis, Palestinian security sources said. They said Reem Abu Obeid, 8, was hit by shrapnel in the head, adding that her condition was "serious."

Palestinian security sources said tanks had randomly opened fire at the refugee camp which lies in the southern Gaza Strip near the Neve Dekalim Jewish settlement, AFP reported.

But residents said small homemade rockets had been previously fired at an Israeli armored vehicle in the area.

Houses were also damaged by the shelling, the security sources and residents said.

Farther south, in Rafah, the house of Ihsan Annatur was destroyed by army bulldozers, although Palestinian security sources said the man was not known for any militant activities.

The army could not immediately confirm the information.