Palestinians warn as tanks attack camp

Last updated: 09:13

Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat's top aide warned today Israel's overnight bombardment of a Palestinian refugee camp in the Gaza Strip was leading the region down a dangerous path.

"The Israeli government is going down the path of permanent escalation with its continuing war against the unarmed Palestinian people, making light of our people and the Arab nation," Arafat adviser Mr Nabil Abu Rudeina told Voice of Palestine radio.

A Palestinian policeman and a civilian were killed and around 40 people injured when Israeli tanks opened fire on the Khan Yunis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip overnight.

Israel entered deep into Palestininian-controlled territory for the first time since the renewed intifada (uprising) erupted in late September.

Mr Abu Rudeina warned only the negotiation of a fair peace could bring security to the region.

In Washington President Bush met Jordan's King Abdullah for talks yesterday and said he was "very interested in working with all parties" in trying to get the opposing sides to "lay down their arms".

The Israeli army said it entered an area of the Palestinian-ruled Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza to demolish homes and an olive grove which Palestinian fighters had been using for cover to fire on Jewish settlements and soldiers.

The army said the activity was part of a "continuous operation" meant to hit "sources responsible for terror".

AFP &

-- meg davis (meg9999@al.com), April 11, 2001