By KUNA,
Gaza : Violent clashes between Israeli army and Palestinian activists are ongoing in the eastern parts of Al-Qararah village, southern Gaza, after Jewish troops executed an incursion into the area, according to eyewitnesses.
They added that a number of Israeli tanks accompanied by special units intruded the village adjacent the Israeli territories, where Palestinian activists from various factions attempted to counter the incursion.
Local radio stations in Gaza quoted eyewitnesses as saying the activists were using machineguns and RPGs in their clashes with the Israeli forces.
They added that bulldozers were damaging farmland, while a Palestinian farmer was injured and a number of houses were broke into and searched.
They said that the Israeli incursion started from Sareej gate near the borders with Gaza, while combat helicopters were flying over the area launching missiles, with no information on causalities so far.
Army reinforcements were sent earlier today to Al-Qararah from Kissufim military base adjacent to the village.
The incursion occurs close to the end of the truce between Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza Strip, which expires in mid-December.
Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Olmert called yesterday on the residents of villages and towns in southern parts of Israel to prepare for military clashes that might go on with the Palestinian factions some time soon in Gaza.
The Israeli army executed an incursion on Tuesday of the last week into the eastern parts of Der Al-Balah camp, killing seven Palestinians. They claimed the operation was to destroy a tunnel dug by Palestinian activists.