Region | Palestinian Territories

Israel withdraws from northern Gaza

Israeli forces have withdrawn from large parts of northern Gaza as Palestinian fighters clash with Israeli troops near a commercial border crossing point.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 23:33 May 3, 2009
  • Gulf News

Gaza City: Israeli forces have withdrawn from large parts of northern Gaza as Palestinian fighters clashed with Israeli troops near a commercial border crossing point.

An army spokesman said the operation in northern Gaza was not over but did not rule out a return to the former colonies of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun, which they had occupied for four days.

As the Israelis were leaving, fierce fighting has now broken out between Palestinian militants and Israeli soliders near the Karni commercial crossing in central Gaza.

Eyewitness reports claim Israeli aircraft fired missiles at gunmen in the pre-dawn fighting. Medics said a Palestinian policeman was shot dead.

The clashes near Karni came after Israeli troops and tanks moved into the area in search of tunnels that could be
used by militants.

It was the first time fighting had broken out in the area since Israel began its offensive in a bid to free captured soldier Gilad Shalit.

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