Israeli soldiers cut off Gaza town

Israeli troops cut off the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah from the rest of the strip today as other troops massed on the outskirts of the town.

Seven tanks and armoured bulldozers, backed by helicopter gunships moved into the area between Rafah and the town of Khan Yunis.

The army said the move was aimed at preventing militants moving between the two towns.

Rafah was the scene of heavy fighting last week. Seven Israelis soldiers were killed and the military demolished more than 100 houses along a patrol road on the Egypt Gaza border.

Bulldozers piled sand embankments across the main road and a tank fired three shells at an empty Palestinian police post on the road, Palestinian security officials said.

Witnesses also reported large forces massing on the outskirts of the town.