Sporadic fire as IDF isolates Rafah from rest of Gaza, Egypt

A massive deployment of Israel Defense Forces troops on Monday morning launched a major operation in the southern Gaza Strip, to isolate the town of Rafah from the rest of Gaza and neighboring Egypt.




The operation, the first division-level operation to be conducted in Gaza, is also aimed at destroying tunnels used to smuggle weapons from Egypt into the Strip, as well as arresting and/or killing wanted militants.

Palestinian gunmen and troops exchanged sporadic gunfire in the area. Army Radio reported that militants fired anti-tank missiles at troops, although there were no injuries.

Seven IDF tanks and armored bulldozers, backed by helicopter gunships, moved into the area between Rafah and the town of Khan Yunis, witnesses said. The IDF said the move was aimed at preventing militants moving between the two towns.


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