Israeli troops swoop on Rafah

2004-06-03 11:57

Gaza City - Israeli troops pulled out of Rafah before dawn on Thursday, the army said, destroying yet more homes in the southern Gaza Strip area where hundreds have been made homeless in the past three weeks.

At least 18 houses were demolished or severely damaged in the latest operation, Palestinian security officials said. The Israeli army said troops had destroyed some houses that had been used in attacks against soldiers but did not give a number.

Residents filtered back into the neighbourhoods after sunrise on Thursday, looking through the rubble for their belongings.

The army said it had entered the town on Wednesday to search for weapons smuggling tunnels that run under the Gaza border with Egypt.

Soldiers uncovered one tunnel 250m long in the raid, the army said.

Israeli troops pulled out of Rafah last week after a seven-day campaign that uncovered three tunnels and came in response to the killing of seven soldiers in the area. Forty-five Palestinians were killed in the operation, Palestinians said. The United Nations said 360 families were left homeless.

- AP