Israeli Forces Withdraw from Southern Gaza

20 October 2007

Rafah – Ma'an – The Israeli forces on Saturday morning withdrew from the area of the defunct Gaza International Airport east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli military vehicles and undercover units invaded the area on Friday.

Palestinian resistance fighters launched several mortar shells and homemade projectiles towards the invading forces.

Fighting erupted between invading forces and resistance fighters, no casualties were reported.

The area of the disused airport is frequently invaded by Israeli forces, which have also bulldozed agricultural land in the region and raided Palestinian homes.

The Qassam Brigades of Hamas claimed responsibility for launching six mortar shells towards the invading Israeli forces.

The military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, on Saturday told Ma'an that its fighters clashed with Israeli infantry forces which invaded Shuka village, east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The brigades alleged that the Israeli troops were forced to retreat.