Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    GAZA, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli army tanks and armored vehicles, backed by fighting aircraft, have pushed into the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, security sources and witnesses reported.

    According to them, about 20 Israeli tanks, backed by reconnaissance unmanned planes, moved for 700 meters forward into the east of Khan Younis city area in southern Gaza Strip.

    The tanks opened machinegun fire at makeshift Palestinian houses near the security fence on the Gaza-Israel border and nearby local Palestinian communities, causing a state of panic among residents. No casualties were reported.

    Israeli bulldozers also operated in the targeted area, said the witnesses, adding that they saw two bulldozers at least razing to the ground some greenhouses and sheds near the village of Khouza east of Khan Younis.

    The operation in Khan Younis came hours after about 10 tanks rolled into eastern Gaza City, wounding three Palestinian gunmen.

    Responding to the incursion, al-Qassam Brigades, military wing of Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), announced that its fighters have fired 3 rocket-propelled-grenades (RPG) at the Israeli tanks in eastern Gaza City.

    Meanwhile, Israeli army aircraft bombarded by missiles two Palestinian-owned homes in northern and southern Gaza Strip, claiming that the owners of the houses are militants involved in carrying out attacks against Israel.

    Palestinian security sources said that no injuries had been reported, but the two buildings were completely destroyed and turned into rubbles, adding that the Israeli army noted the owners shortly before their houses were bombarded. Enditem