CBC wrote:GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - A United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees has described a scene of widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip after demolitions carried out by the Israeli army.
Buildings housing 206 families, or 1,064 people, have been destroyed in the southern town of Rafah, says Paul McCann of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Some residents fled their homes waving white flags before Israeli bulldozers flattened the buildings. Witnesses say one man who wasn't quick enough to escape was killed during the demolition. They found his body in the rubble on Saturday.
Israel approved the operation on Thursday to expand a buffer zone along the border with Egypt, where tunnels are used to smuggle weapons to Palestinians. Militants carry out almost daily attacks against Israeli positions and soldiers in the area.
On Wednesday, five Israeli soldiers were killed in the corridor when their armoured vehicle was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade.
Witnesses have described the demolition area as a wasteland of ruined buildings and roads, and broken electrical lines and water pipes.
Israel says it will re-settle Palestinians who lose their homes.
As Palestinians returned Saturday morning to see what was left of their homes, Israeli helicopters struck at three Islamic Jihad targets.
One strike was carried out in Rafah at the southern end of the strip against the three-storey home of a senior Islamic Jihad leader.
Neighbours say Mohammad al-Sheikh Khalil heard the helicopter approaching and managed to flee the house before the missile landed.
Afterward, the Israel army said the building had been used to store weapons and make explosives.
At the other end of the strip in Gaza City, helicopters targeted two more buildings with links to Islamic Jihad. One building contained the office of the group's leader, Muhammad al-Hindi, who also escaped unharmed.
At least six Palestinians were wounded in the air strikes.
In all, 13 Israeli soldiers and 31 Palestinians have died in fighting in the region since Tuesday.
Palestinians mark 'Nakba Day'
Meantime, Saturday marked the anniversary of Israel's independence in 1948. Many Palestinians marked what they call Nakba (catastrophe) Day with protests. At noon, sirens wailed through the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Thousands marched in the streets as demonstrators waved signs and chanted anti-Israel slogans. Many held large wooden keys symbolizing lost homes.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled during fighting 56 years ago.
But they'll be resettled, isn't that nice of the Israeli's?
M1891/30: A bad day on the range is better then a good day at work.
Shinova wrote:Geez, why can't they just put up a real border and declare the two separate instead of all this, it's ours, no it's ours, blahblahblah business?
Eating a cake and having it too...
"Prodesse Non Nocere." "It's all about popularity really, if your invisible friend that tells you to invade places is called Napoleon, you're a loony, if he's called Jesus then you're the president." "I'd drive more people insane, but I'd have to double back and pick them up first..." "All it takes for bullshit to thrive is for rational men to do nothing." - Kevin Farrell, B.A. Journalism. BOTM - EBC - Horseman - G&C - Vampire
