The Israeli army overnight withdrew its tanks from flashpoints in the Gaza Strip after re-deploying them on Friday amid violent clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians, witnesses said Saturday.
Two tanks that had Friday afternoon rolled into the volatile Karni crossing area linking Gaza and Israel left during the night, as did two armored vehicles that had moved into Palestinian territory, blocking a road used mainly by Jews to reach their settlement at nearby Netzarim.
At Kfar Darom, a Jewish settlement in the heart of Palestinian territory in the Gaza Strip, two tanks which had been stationed on the main road used by Palestinians were taken back into a nearby army base, other witnesses said.
Under an accord reached early Thursday between Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres, the Israelis withdrew all tanks from flashpoint areas.
However, following clashes with Palestinians after Friday prayers, the tanks were rolled out again both at Karni crossing and Kfar Darom.
Palestinians say a shaky accord reached early Thursday with the Israelis hinges on Israel pulling out its military equipment from areas such as Karni and from the entrances of Palestinian-run cities – GAZA CITY (AFP)
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