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10/02/2004:

"Israeli tanks start to reoccupy northern Gaza"

by Chris McGreal
Israeli tanks and troops yesterday began the largest reoccupation of northern Gaza since the start of the Palestinian uprising four years ago.

Ariel Sharon ordered the tanks in to prevent Hamas from scuppering his plan to withdraw Jewish settlers from the territory and impose an emasculated state on the Palestinians.

The Israeli offensive follows a Hamas rocket attack that killed two small children in the Israeli town of Sderot. Israel radio quoted Mr Sharon as telling his cabinet: "What can we do? The Jews, too, have a right to live. If this entails difficulties for the Palestinians, that is part of the price."

Hundreds of soldiers backed by about 200 tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters reoccupied the towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun and took control of a 9km-wide area along the border.

The army also strengthened its force in Jabaliya refugee camp, where soldiers faced stiff resistance when they entered the Hamas and Islamic Jihad stronghold on Thursday that left nearly 30 people dead in some of the bloodiest fighting of the intifada.

At least five Palestinians were killed in Israeli rocket strikes on Jabaliya yesterday. An Israeli missile killed two Hamas fighters on a motorbike. A second rocket left three people dead, apparently all civilians, near a school.

The Palestinian prime minister, Ahmed Qureia, called the Israeli offensive "state terror" and called for international intervention.

Full Article: Guardian UK