Israeli forces launch raid into Gaza

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 07:58:07

Israeli tanks in Gaza

Israeli forces accompanied by tanks and Apache helicopters have entered Gaza city, opening fire at Palestinian residents.

At noon Saturday, three bulldozers backed by four tanks started to raze installations in the industrial zone near Karni commercial crossing in the east of Gaza City.

Residents in the area said the helicopters opened machine gunfire to provide cover for the forces on the ground while children threw stones at the tanks.

Palestinian fighters, carrying mines and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, fought the sudden incursion.

Earlier, the Israeli army rolled into eastern parts of central Gaza Strip and clashed with Palestinian militants before withdrawing in the morning, residents of al-Maghazi and al-Burij refugee camps told DPA.

The incursion came as a Palestinian research center for prisoners' issues called on Egypt to renew its mediation between Israel and the Palestinian factions that are holding an Israeli soldier in Gaza.

The Palestinian factions are demanding Israel release older prisoners, women, children and the infirm from its jails in exchange for the soldier. Israel is holding about 11,000 Palestinians.