(Guardian-UK) - At the height of the battle at Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, dozens of masked Palestinian gunmen were queuing up on a street corner to join the fighting. They were joined by unmasked freelance civilians who brought along their own guns. An Israeli army spokesman said Thursday that the IDF incursion had been intended "to smoke out" the Hamas members who have been firing Kassam rockets from Beit Lahia into Israel. In spite of the casualties and destruction, the Palestinian fighters are convinced they are winning. They see Sharon's plan to pull Israeli forces and settlers out of Gaza as a victory. Speaking in Gaza City, Hamas leader Ahmed Bahar said the pullout would not end the fighting. "We will not throw away our weapons," he said. "Jerusalem is still occupied, Haifa is still occupied."
2004-04-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive