GAZA, Oct. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian security sources said on Thursday that the Israeli military has started to build a security zone around the Gaza Strip.

   Witnesses said since late Wednesday, Israeli army bulldozers has begun razing lands near the villages of al-Garara, Abbassan and Khoza, east of the southern Gaza town of Khan Yunis near the borders with Israel.

   Palestinian security sources said the Israeli move was aimed at building a security zone around the Gaza Strip.

   The Israeli army informed the Palestinian side last month that it plans to build a security zone along the borders between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

   The 650-meter-long zone, an electronic fence, will serve as a buffer zone to prevent Palestinian militants from infiltrating into Israel, the Israeli army said. Enditem