Gaza Operation Leaves 140 Dead

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s spokesman, Raanan Gissin, announced yesterday that the Prime Minister had issued a directive to withdraw from the Strip, but added that in case of a possible rocket threat, they will start the operations again. "This means that we withdraw from there assuming no rocket attacks," said Rissin.

Palestinian eyewitnesses and security officials confirmed the withdrawal of nearly 200 tanks and armored vehicles located in the area. According to an Israeli army source, the withdrawal was for the safety of Palestinians during Ramadan.

On September 29th, the Israeli army started a large scale operation the refugee camps of Jabaliyah, Beit Khanun and Beit Lahiyah in the northern part of the Gaza Strip after a Cassam rocket killed two girls in the town of Sderot.