Thursday, 2 January, 2003, 08:28 GMT

Israeli forces backed by helicopter gunships have entered refugee camps in Gaza, hours after they killed four Palestinians apparently on their way to attack Jewish settlements.

Israeli troops and tanks entered three refugee camps in the centre and south of the Gaza strip looking for suspected militants.

Heavy exchanges of gunfire took place and some injuries have been reported.

The overnight raids came after Israeli soldiers shot dead three Palestinian teenagers armed with wire cutters and knives.

They had climbed a security fence guarding a Jewish settlement, according to the army. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2620643.stm

-- Anonymous, January 02, 2003