JERUSALEM, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Israel's defence minister on Wednesday ordered the army to halt the shelling of Gaza and to conduct a quick investigation into attacks that Palestinian officials said killed 18 civilians, the ministry said.

Palestinian officials have said Israeli tank fired killed the civilians in the town of Beit Hanoun. The army has said it was checking the reports.

"The defence minister has ordered a stop to the firing of artillery into Gaza until an investigation into the incident is finished," a defence ministry spokeswoman said.

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