A large number of Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopters were still sweeping areas of the northern Gaza Strip, a day after an incursion which left five Palestinians dead.
According to Palestinian security sources and witnesses, around 70 tanks and armoured personnel carriers were operating inside Beit Hanun and parts of Jabalya town and Beit Lahia.
Several Palestinians were arrested overnight and at least eight houses were demolished, the sources said. At least 10 bulldozers were razing farmland from where Palestinians have fired rockets on army positions, Jewish settlements and nearby Israeli towns.
The southern Israeli town of Sderot which lies just across the border, six kilometres from the center of Beit Hanun, has often been hit by home-made Qassam rockets, although no casualties have been reported.
The Ezzedin al-Qassam Brigades -- the military wing of Hamas -- issued a statement Friday morning listing overnight rocket and mortar attacks.
Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met Friday morning with his top ministers ahead of the planned meeting Saturday between Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).
Palestinians sources expressed pessimism Thursday about the outcome of Saturday night's planned meeting between Sharon and Abu Mazen.
According to the sources, "expectations are very low," particularly following the Israeli incursion in Beit Hanun.
"Even before the operation we did not have high hopes for the meeting, but the Israeli message is tough and clear," an unnamed senior Palestinian source was quoted as saying.
(Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
