Israeli Troops to Withdraw from North Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday gave the go ahead to Israeli forces to withdraw from a teeming refugee camp and other heavily populated areas in northern Gaza, media reports said. It was the largest Israeli offensive in Gaza since the start of the Palestinian uprising fours years ago. Israel Radio said the pullback from could begin late on Thursday and was timed to reduce Israeli forces in Palestinian areas before the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan begins on Friday. Sharon's spokesman had no comment on the reports on Israeli radio stations and newspaper Web sites. Palestinian witnesses said troops had not started moving out Jabalya refugee camp. The offensive was launched 16 days ago after two Israeli children died in a rocket attack. Since then 100 Palestinians have been killed, including 59 militants. Three Israelis and a Thai farm worker have also died.
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