Israel bombs Islamic University in Gaza: witnesses

GAZA (Reuters) - An Israeli warplane fired a missile on Thursday at the pro-Hamas Islamic University in Gaza City, setting off a huge explosion, witnesses said.

An Israeli army spokesman said the planes had targeted an open area in Gaza City. Witnesses said the missile crashed into a soccer field. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The attack came as Israeli troops were poised to widen a incursion in the coastal Gaza Strip to recover a kidnapped soldier.