Gaza Strip ? Dozens of Israeli tanks pushed deep into the Gaza Strip and aircraft fired missiles at Palestinian militants Thursday, killing eight people in heavy fighting that mirrored the Israeli offensive against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.

Palestinian officials said an 8-year-old boy was among the dead.

Israeli forces conducted house-to-house searches in the southern Gaza Strip early today. Israeli aircraft also hit two houses in Gaza City with missiles. Residents said the military warned occupants to leave before the attacks, and no one was hurt.

The United Nations said Thursday it worried “the tragedy in Gaza is being forgotten” because of the fighting in Lebanon. It called on both Israel and the Palestinian militants to recognize their obligations to protect civilians during hostilities, but singled out Israel for criticism.