Israeli to launch Gaza strikes
2004-10-01 13:17
Jerusalem - Israel's security cabinet on Thursday unanimously approved an open-ended military operation in the northern Gaza Strip aimed at stopping Palestinian militants from firing homemade missiles into southern Israel, officials said.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the cabinet decision cleared the way for Israeli troops to move in force into the Palestinian towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and the sprawling Jebaliya refugee camp.
The decision came a day after a Qassam rocket fired from northern Gaza slammed into the southern Israeli town of Sderot, killing two children.
Shortly before the cabinet voted, Palestinian security officials said Israeli troops backed by about 90 armoured vehicles were converging on Jebaliya.
Witnesses in the camp said hundreds of Palestinian militants were taking up positions there to resist any Israeli advance. The witnesses said the militants were burning tires to create dense clouds of smoke and obscure the view of cameras in Israeli drones flying overhead.
- AP