| Israeli troops and tanks began pulling out of the Rafah refugee camp at daybreak Friday, residents said, after a three-day sweep that left 39 Palestinians dead and drew international criticism. Israeli military sources confirmed that soldiers were "redeploying" after the operation in the camp, but they said that in principle, the search for weapons-smuggling tunnels under the border would continue. But Palestinian security officials said Israeli snipers continued to control buildings, and attack helicopters were in the sky. Doctors said that relief convoys could not yet enter the camp. Palestinians said most of the Israeli tanks had left the Tel Sultan neighborhood, the focus of the operation, and others were pulling out of the Brazil section next to the Gaza-Egypt border. As the tanks trundled out, hundreds of residents rushed into the streets to inspect the damage caused during the Israeli operation. But Israeli forces opened fire, and leaders urged people to remain indoors, a local doctor said. Tanks were also pulling out of the section next to the Gaza-Egypt border, residents and Palestinian security officials said. As recently as Wednesday, Israeli leaders insisted that the operation in the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza would continue. However, withering international criticism may have had an effect on the Israeli leadership, especially pointed U.S. displeasure, underlined by the U.S. abstention on a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the Israeli operation. |