Israeli occupation troops invade Rafah, meet with resistance, two Israeli soldiers reported killed, many Palestinians arrested 

Date: 09 / 06 / 2007 Time: 11:33

Rafah – Ma'an – 

Israeli military vehicles have invaded the Nahda neighborhood, east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip under cover of heavy gunfire from Israeli helicopters. The invading Israeli forces apprehended several Palestinian citizens and demolished agricultural lands and houses.

Palestinian security sources stated that at least 16 military vehicles entered the area near the now-defunct Yasser Arafat International Airport early in the morning. Prior to the incursion, an Israeli undercover unit infiltrated the area. Confrontations erupted between Israeli forces and the Palestinian resistance fighters, without casualties being reported.

Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli troops ordered Palestinian men aged between 16 and 50 to gather in a public square, before they inspected them, arresting several.

At the same time, Israeli forces ransacked numerous homes, seven of which belonged to the Abu Sneina, Abu Ros and Al-'Arja families. The troops climbed to the rooftops of the buildings and opened fire in several directions.

The media spokesperson of the Palestinian national security forces in the southern Gaza Strip stated that "Israeli helicopters bombarded numerous bases and headquarters of the national security, using heavy machine guns".

In the same regard, the Al-Qassam Brigades of the Hamas movement claimed that they conducted an attack on an Israeli unit, whilst it was approaching the area. They declared that a precise ambush was prepared, "and the Al-Qassam fighters besieged the Israeli unit, opening fire at a distance of just 20 metres." In a statement received by Ma'an, they revealed that at least two Israeli troops were killed in the ambush, and one Al-Qassam fighter was injured. There has yet to be any confirmation from the Israeli side.

In addition, the An Nasser Salah Addin brigades claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles towards the Israeli military presence at the Kerem Shalom crossing, during the Israeli incursion.