GAZA, Dec 27, 2005 (Xinhua via COMTEX)
-- The Palestinian Interior Ministry denied on Tuesday that it had
received Israel's warning to evacuate Palestinian security forces posts
in the northern Gaza Strip where Israel decided to set up a buffer zone
to halt rocket attacks.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tawfik Abu
Khousa told reporters that the ministry had not received any Israeli warnings,
adding that the ministry had issued firm instructions to Palestinian security
forces and police to stay in their outposts and not to leave under any
circumstances.
He also called upon Palestinian residents in northern Gaza towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia, both located inside the would- be buffer zone, to cling to their lands.
But the spokesman also urged all Palestinian factions to stop firing rockets on Israeli targets, saying such attacks will do harm to the Palestinian national interests.
"The insistence of some sides to fire homemade rockets during this period of time does not serve the Palestinian people's interests and we see that the Palestinian civilians are those who pay the price of such acts," Abu Khousa said.
Abu Khousa made the statements as Israeli warplanes pounded the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday to enforce a buffer zone aimed at stopping Palestinian militants firing rockets at Israel.
Earlier, the Israeli daily of Yedioth Ahranoth cited Israeli army sources as saying that the military had asked Palestinian security forces and police to leave the no-go zone in northern Gaza.
The report also said that the Israeli army will spread leaflets over northern Gaza to warn Palestinian residents ahead of airstrikes.
Palestinian militant rocket attacks on Israel have continued despite the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in September.
Israel has vowed to intensify airstrikes and artillery shellings to stem out rocket attacks, but refrained from using ground troops.