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Israeli tanks firing shells and machine guns moved into the Nusseirat and Bureij refugee camps in the central part of the Gaza Strip early Monday, witnesses said. No casualties were reported.
The Israeli military said its forces were concentrating in the area for an operation. The two refugee camps are located on either side of a main Gaza road.
Residents said Israeli tanks advanced about half a mile into Nusseirat camp along the main road, while other forces moved several hundred yards into Bureij camp, approaching the central mosque.
It was the second Israeli incursion in as many days in Gaza.
On Sunday, Israeli forces backed by 15 tanks and attack helicopters entered the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Two Palestinians were killed during exchanges of gunfire with troops.
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said Sunday that Israel would step up its military operations in Gaza against the violent Islamic Hamas, which has claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks, including the bombing of an Israeli tank in Gaza two weeks ago in which four Israeli soldiers were killed.
(China Daily March 3, 2003)
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