Israeli pullback but Gaza offensive continues

Israeli troops pulled back from two battle-scarred neighbourhoods of Gaza’s Rafah refugee camp today, but the army said it was merely redeploying forces and that its offensive would continue.

As relief trucks brought food and water to one of the worst-hit areas, residents returned to scenes of ripped-up roads and demolished buildings. Many lingered only to scoop up a few possessions, saying they feared a renewal of the violence that has left 40 Palestinians dead in four days.