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Israel Helicopters Bombing Gaza, Ramallah
Combat helicopters of Israel Air Force (IAF) resumed attacks on the West Bank city of Ramallah and Gaza city Thursday afternoon after a break.
Witnesses said that Israeli helicopters fired missiles at the Palestinian television and radio stations, and some more police stations in the fresh raids.
The "limited action" by Israel Thursday was a retaliation for the killing of two Israeli soldiers by the Palestinians, said a Israeli military statement.
The Israeli bombings were aimed at giving a warning to the Palestinians that Israel can not tolerate any killing of Israeli soldiers, the statement added.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is returning from Beirut to Israel later Thursday to help stop the escalation of the tension.
Israeli bombings against the targets in Ramallah and Gaza city were "a declaration of war against the Palestinians," said Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat Thursday.
"This act of the Israel is the declaration of war against the Palestinian people and the Palestinian side calls for an urgent international intervention," he said.
Israel attacked Ramallah and Gaza city shortly after the killing of two Israeli soldiers Thursday.
Five missiles were fired at targets just west of the office of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza city.
Israeli helicopter gunships also fired missiles and rockets at the Palestinian police stations, buildings of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and civilian targets in Ramallah. A Palestinian police station was totally destroyed and Arafat's office in the city was partially damaged. And at least 30 Palestinians were wounded, 12 of them Palestinian policemen, witnesses said.
Meanwhile, tanks were also ordered to take up positions around the city to back up the activities of the Israel Defense Forces' helicopters.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak has called an urgent meeting of Israeli military and intelligence leaders to discuss the situation.
The Palestinian police said the two Israeli soldiers were beaten to death by the Palestinian youths. But the Israeli side held the Palestinian police totally responsible for the incident.
Israel also ordered its troops to seal off all Palestinian cities. The Palestinian side was prepared for the bombings, and ordered an evacuation from all the buildings occupied by the Palestinian security police.
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