Dozens of Israeli tanks, pulled out from the Gaza Strip city of Rafah and redeployed early on Thursday around it, following a 15-hour military campaign there. Early Thursday a Palestinian died of wounds sustained earlier by Israeli fire.
Palestinian security sources were quoted as saying that the Israeli occupying authorities closed Thursday - until further notice - the Sofa commercial crossing, east of Rafah City, giving no reasons for such a move.
In Nablus, 26 tanks Thursday invaded mainly the old town, as Israeli soldiers broke into about 20 houses, arresting at least six locals, IPC reported.
Earlier, Israeli troops swept on Thursday into 'Aida refugee camp of Bethlehem, witnesses and security sources said.
Security sources said that 12 Israeli military jeeps rolled into the refugee camp amid intensive fire.
Eyewitnesses told WAFA that Israeli soldiers broke into several houses and took positions on roofs.
Moreover, Israeli soldiers backed by tanks and jeeps, Thursday raided Zeita village of Tulkarem, officials and witnesses said. Zeita mayor, Jamal Hassoona, told WAFA that Israeli troops incurred into the village at 2:00 am, and started searching houses.
Hassoona added the Israeli soldiers left at 7:00 am.
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
