Israel leaves trail of devastation in Rafah

[Scurrilous]

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040521.wrafa0521/BNStory/International/

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"Israeli troops pulled back from two neighbourhoods in this sprawling Palestinian refugee camp Friday, leaving behind a bleak landscape of demolished and damaged homes, torn-up roads and flattened cars.

Israel said its four-day military offensive in search of arms-smuggling tunnels and militants will continue. The army said no tunnels have been found so far and only one Palestinian was arrested after soldiers questioned hundreds. Security officials believed most of the militants fled before the invasion.

Municipal officials said at least 43 homes were demolished and dozens more damaged in the camp since the offensive began Tuesday. Forty Palestinians have been killed, including eight demonstrators hit by a tank shell."

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"On Friday, reporters were still unable to get into the hardest-hit neighbourhood, Tel Sultan, which is home to 25,000 people. Local officials said 10 homes were demolished there, and more were damaged. Resident Fathi Abdel-Al, speaking by telephone, described a scene of charred cars smouldering, electricity poles toppled and sewage running in the streets."