Israelis lift six-week siege of refugee camp

Israeli forces today lifted their month-long siege of a northern Gaza town leaving destroyed buildings and flattened citrus orchards, in their wake.

The move follows the Israeli army's deepest incursion into Beit Hanoun yesterday in search of militants using the densely populated refugee camp to launch makeshift rockets across the Israeli border.

Missile attacks have intensified as Palestinian militants try to portray Israel's plan to abandon the Gaza Strip in 2005 as a victory. But Israel wants to smash the groups before the withdrawal is complete.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed during the siege, which the army began after a rocket killed a child and a man inside Israel in late June.

Palestinians condemned the siege as collective punishment. "This is oppression," said Mr Aref Zaanin, whose home was commandeered by Israeli soldiers.

He returned to find walls punched in, furniture wrecked and human excrement in his basement. "Does a road fire a Qassam? Do the trees? Does a child imprisoned in his bathroom?" he asked.

Tanks remained camped on farmland on Beit Hanoun's eastern fringes today and a military surveillance balloon drifted over the area.

"The operation is not over. We will respond to any threats against Israel from the area"' an Israeli military source said.

Hamas spokesman Mr Sami Abu Zuhri said: "The resistance will continue but definitely the forms of resistance will be reviewed."