Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday gave the
go ahead to Israeli forces to withdraw from a teeming refugee camp and
other heavily populated areas in northern Gaza, media reports said. It
was the largest Israeli offensive in Gaza since the start of the
Palestinian uprising fours years ago. Israel Radio said the pullback
from could begin late on Thursday and was timed to reduce Israeli
forces in Palestinian areas before the Muslim holy fasting month of
Ramadan begins on Friday. Sharon's spokesman had no comment on the
reports on Israeli radio stations and newspaper Web sites. Palestinian
witnesses said troops had not started moving out Jabalya refugee camp.
The offensive was launched 16 days ago after two Israeli children died
in a rocket attack. Since then 100 Palestinians have been killed,
including 59 militants. Three Israelis and a Thai farm worker have also
died. [more ] and [more ]
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