Fresh Gaza violence erupts

James Langton12 April 2012

Israeli forces demolished at least 18 Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip early today, hours after Secretary of State Colin Powell announced a new US peace mission to end nearly 14 months of violence.

Three Palestinians were wounded in the fresh violence, underlining the difficulties US envoys will face when they arrive in the coming days to "prod" peace moves forward.

Palestinian witnesses said tanks and bulldozers rumbled into the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza and demolished 18 homes, sending families fleeing for cover.

The army denied the area is under Palestinian control and said the homes were not inhabited. It said the raid came after Palestinian gunmen fired on soldiers in the area and threw grenades at nearby outposts.

Omar Abu Shaweesh, a father of six, said bulldozers demolished his threeroom home. "We were asleep when they came. We started to run, taking the children out. We were confused. We didn't know what to do but to run," he said.

Mr Powell took both sides to task yesterday in his speech, telling the Palestinian Authority that it must reign in terrorists operating in its territories and recognise the right of Israel to exist. He urged Palestinian leaders to "arrest, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of terrorist acts," adding: "The Palestinian leadership must make 100 per cent effort to end violence and terror."

But there was also unusually strong words from an American government for the Israelis, with Mr Powell calling on Israel to give up what he called "its occupation? of the West Bank and Gaza.

He also told Israel that it must do its part in reducing tension in the region. "Palestinians need security as well," Mr Powell said. "Too many innocent Palestinians, including children, have been killed and wounded. This must stop." He also called for an end to Israeli settlements in the occupied territories of the West Bank.

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