Homes shelled in Rafah as army forces residents out

Jun 28, 2006

The Palestinian News Agency, WAFA, reported on Wednesday at dawn that Israeli fighter-jets and tanks fired several shells at Rafah in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Soldiers who invaded the Al Shouka area in Rafah, forced dozens of families out of their homes as the army prepares to control them.

The agency added that the fighter-jets used fired with heavy rounds at dozens at civilians houses causing considerable damage, no injuries were reported while the residents, including mothers and their children, fled out of their houses fearing additional shelling.

Residents of Al Shouka area said that soldiers used loud speakers to call them out of their houses and declared the area as a closed military zone.

The attack comes hours after the soldiers controlled the Yasser Arafat International Airport in the city, and apparently burnt one of its main halls.

Soldiers completely sealed the borders of the Gaza Strip and significantly increased the presence of its naval forces.

At least 60% of the areas in the Gaza Strip lost power supply after the Israeli air force shelled the main power supply and generators.

Additional missiles were fired at several areas in Gaza City after the Israeli air force broke the sound barrier.