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More fighters will join Hamas after each operation.”After what some observers saw as a new tactic of seeking to draw out militants on to the streets, the Israeli army said that the incursion had been directed at “uncovering terrorist cells” in Bureij, which it held responsible for repeated mortar and rocket attacks on Israeli settlements, including Netzarim in central Gaza. Officers said that an earthmover that became stuck was attacked by dozens of homemade missiles.Palestinian sources named the dead civilians as Ahmad Zuraiq, 13, Muhammad Badawi, 15, Yousef Yunis, 10, and Haitham Issawi, 16. Of 80 people said to have been injured in the fighting, 23 were taken to Shifa hospital in Gaza City including three said to be critical.The Israeli army said the incursion had been intended to “prevent acts of terrorism” against Israeli targets – among them settlements in Gaza from which Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he wants to withdraw the Israeli residents.Ari Pazner, an Israeli government spokesman, said that “terrorism is pouring out of this refugee camp, and we have to stop it”, adding: “We believe that by doing so we have prevented acts of terror in Israel and saved many human lives.” Mr Pazner strongly denied a link between the raid and the planned withdrawal “We are now fighting terrorism. This has nothing to do with any future plan about Gaza,” he said.But with some commentators suggesting that both sides may be preparing to depict any Israeli pull-out as a victory, yesterday’s incursion is likely to fuel speculation that Mr Sharon – facing criticism from the extreme Israeli right for his withdrawal plan – is determined to show that he is tougher than ever in cracking down on suspected militants.Saeb Erekat, a Palestinian cabinet minister, condemned the raid, calling for a return to negotiations on the floundering US-backed road-map. Palestinian sources said some of the heaviest fighting had been in the area of Al Daewa Ila Allah Street, site of the biggest mosque in the Gaza Strip.Israeli troops finally withdrew at 10am but the army said its pullback had been delayed by militants harassing it with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. The heavy exchanges of fire in two densely populated refugee camps claimed the lives of four civilians – including a boy aged 10 – and 10 militants, nine of them Hamas activists. No Israeli casualties were reported.
The raid began in darkness at 3.30am when Israeli forces, with at least two Apache helicopter gunships hovering overhead, advanced slowly along alleys and side streets on the fringes of the Bureij and Nusseirat refugee camps.In a series of subsequent battles, several hundred Palestinians armed with assault rifles, anti-tank missiles and grenade launchers engaged with Israeli troops firing from helicopters, tanks and commandeered rooftop positions.

Fourteen Palestinians were killed yesterday in more than six hours of fighting after Israeli forces, including tanks and helicopter gunships, mounted their deadliest incursion into Gaza for almost 18 months. “It is outrageous that these allegations are being made when the detainees do not have a voice.”The unnamed Bush administration official justified the public airing of confidential evidence. “If the British Government had captured Luftwaffe pilots bombing London during the middle of World War Two, they would not have given them lawyers to argue that they were innocent,” he said.. Five other detainees are expected to be returned to the UK this week.Louise Christian, a lawyer for the families of two of the men – Mr Abbasi and Mr Mubanga – reacted angrily to the claims, reported in today’s Daily Telegraph.

Ford has been tipped as heading for Versace, where he would no doubt be a tower of strength, but Donatella Versace has pointed out that he would probably not wish to work for her. It has also been suggested that Ford might like to set up his own luxury goods conglomerate, with Domenico De Sole, Gucci’s departing chief executive.And Ford has even been said to be looking forward to a career change ­ making films in Hollywood. In an interview with fashion industry bible Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) earlier this week the designer said: “It’s so funny, people keep asking me what my future is and they don’t believe me when I tell them that I really haven’t made any decisions.”So far as the future of Gucci and YSL Rive Gauche are concerned, no appointment has yet been confirmed. But it appears that neither label will be presided over by any of today’s leading designers.Instead, three names will be responsible for Gucci, all of whom have formed an integral part of Ford’s design team. Alessandra Facchinetti will design womenswear, Alfreda Giannini, menswear, and John Ray accessories.The new team will have a hard act to follow With De Sole, Ford was Gucci.