The Hindu : International : 14 Palestinians killed in fresh Gaza offensive

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 26, 2004

International

International

14 Palestinians killed in fresh Gaza offensive

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, OCT. 25. Israel has launched another major offensive in Gaza, coinciding with a crucial session of its Parliament where the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, is seeking to convey to his detractors that the Israeli military dominates the territory.

Already, 14 Palestinians have been killed in the assault on the Palestinian refugee camp of Khan Younis. The attack began last night with a series of air strikes as Israeli forces, accompanied by dozens of tanks, stormed into the area.

A show of force

Mr. Sharon is seeking to convince his Right-wing colleagues that his controversial decision to withdraw illegal Israeli settlers from Gaza was not driven by any military weakness. Analysts point out that Mr. Sharon is acutely aware that his opponents can draw political mileage by accusing him of withdrawing under fire from Palestinian organisations such as the Hamas.

Commenting on the intrusion, which followed a similar assault earlier on Gaza's Jabaliya refugee camp, Saeb Erakat, a senior Palestinian official, said the Israeli move was a response to perceived domestic compulsions.

"It seems to me that the deliberations in Parliament about Gaza is being translated into more Palestinian blood."

Reinforcing this view, Daud Kuttab, who teaches at Al Quds University in Ramallah, told The Hindu, "The Israelis are worried about the image that their eventual withdrawal from Gaza will appear as a sign of weakness. (The incursions are) all about images and how Palestinians will see the upcoming withdrawal."

Missile attack

Reports from Gaza say at least four missiles were fired from an unmanned spy plane. One hit a post manned by Palestinian security men, killing two of them.

Several Palestinians were killed in exchanges of fire with Israeli troops. Palestinian security officials say there were civilians among the dead, including an 11-year-old boy.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army said two of its soldiers were injured when Palestinians fired an anti-tank missile at their armoured personnel carrier. Israeli troops, it said, had been deployed in Gaza to stem attacks on Jewish settlements in the Gush Katif area. A military spokesman also accused Palestinians of firing 28 mortars from the Khan Younis area on settlements over the weekend.

The Israeli Cabinet on Sunday had approved a bill to pay compensation to settlers leaving Gaza under Mr. Sharon's withdrawal plan.

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