Military

DATE=10/26/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L)

NUMBER=2-309058

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

INTRO: Israeli troops have shot dead a Palestinian militant attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement and destroyed Palestinian buildings that the Israelis say were being used to observe troop movements in the Gaza Strip. The demolitions forced the temporary evacuation of about two-thousand Palestinian residents. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The Israeli army says a fierce gun battle erupted early Sunday when a Palestinian approached the Jewish Gush Katif settlement bloc in Gaza with a rifle and hand grenades. Military officials say the attacker was killed the clash.

The attack was one of several launched against army outposts and Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip since Friday.

Israeli troops responded to the attacks on Sunday by destroying three partly-completed Palestinian high rise buildings near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim. Israel says the buildings were being used to observe troop movements.

Some two-thousand Palestinians were asked to vacate their homes in the surrounding area, while soldiers carried out the demolitions.

The action came in response to the killing of three soldiers at Netzarim on Friday by Palestinian gunmen who infiltrated the settlement.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad - two groups that frequently carry out suicide bombings and other terror attacks - claimed responsibility for the killings.

The announcement came after it was reported that the two organizations have recently agreed to join forces against Israel.

Israeli troops last week stepped up their campaign against Palestinian Islamic groups, launching a series of air strikes in the Gaza Strip, killing both militants and civilians.

Hamas, and the Islamic Jihad, which have both vowed to destroy Israel, pledged to respond by launching more violent attacks. (Signed)

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