Islamic group abandons suicide attack truce
At least one of the Islamic militant groups responsible for suicide attacks on Israel abandoned its truce today after an Israeli army bulldozer destroyed dozens of buildings in a Gaza refugee camp.
Islamic Jihad today said it would no longer abide by the truce sought by Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad have carried out scores of attacks on Israelis, including suicide bombings in recent months.
The Israeli army destroyed at least 30 homes in the Palestinian-controlled Rafah refugee camp in retaliation for the killing of four Israeli soldiers by Palestinian militants yesterday. A dozen Israeli bulldozers and armoured vehicles entered Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, before dawn today, sending hundreds of residents fleeing through the heavy rain.
According to Palestinian officials, the Israelis destroyed 32 homes, leaving hundreds of innocent civilians homeless.
Israel said the buildings it demolished provided cover for smugglers and Palestinian gunmen. Israel also said Palestinian militants threw grenades during this morning’s incursion, but nobody was injured.
