Palestinian Authority appeals Washington, Europe to solve Rafah crisis; Israel demolishes 21 Palestinian houses

Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli occupation army demolished yesterday 21 houses in Gaza in three incursion operations. Israeli military vehicles and bulldozers yesterday at dawn broke into the Palestinian territories from Mourag settlement to Ghazzan al-Najjar area near Khan Younis to the south of Gaza and demolished 20 houses before they withdraw later.

Other Israeli military vehicles incurred, covered by military vehicles to the south of Gaza starting as from Natsareim settlement. The coastal road linking the city to central Gaza was blocked by sand dunes and the Israeli helicopters opened fire at the Palestinian citizens and demolished one house and leveled agricultural lands.

News reports said that the Israeli helicopters bombarded Sheikh Ajleen residential quarters to the south of the city and north of Natsareim settlement. The occupation forces blocked the road of al-Matahin barrier which separates between the south of Gaza and its central part. The coastal road to the south of Gaza adjoining Natsareim settlement was also blocked.

Meantime and in a statement the Palestinian groups stressed the need of preserving the Palestinian blood and tabooing the use of weapons in solving inter- Palestinian conflicts.

The groups called for directing all guns to resist " the occupation and deter it and resort to dialogue as a civilized means at the Palestinian arena." On the other hand, the Palestinian authority called on the American administration and the European Union to interfere with the Israeli authorities to end the humanitarian crisis at Rafah crossing which was blocked by Israel since more than 12 days.