GAZA, Jan. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli army troops continued to attack and arrest Palestinians despite a de facto ceasefire by the Palestinian militant group to allow the negotiation of a truce dealwith Israel.

    Israeli army tanks fired late Wednesday more than five shells atthe residents' houses in the southern Gaza town of Rafah, causing severe damage to the houses, and a 21-years-old man was moderately wounded, Palestinian security sources reported Thursday.

    Israeli army troops also launched predawn raid Thursday on the Palestinian refugee camps of Balata, Ein and Askar in the West Bankcity of Nablus, sources said.

    Sources added that Israeli army troops arrested at least fourteen Palestinians in several areas of the West Bank. Enditem