Groups debate success of incursion

The targeted areas weren't used to launch rockets, residents said.
JEBALIYA REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Israel's military said Saturday that its 17-day incursion into the northern Gaza Strip struck a heavy blow against Palestinian militants routinely firing makeshift rockets into the country's southern region.
Palestinian residents, however, accused the army of wanton destruction, saying the broad military offensive targeted densely populated areas never used to launch rockets. At least 110 Palestinians -- including dozens of civilians -- were killed, making this the bloodiest military offensive in northern Gaza in four years of fighting.
Early Sunday the Israeli army moved elsewhere in the volatile territory, as 10 tanks and three bulldozers entered the Rafah refugee camp, near the Egyptian border. The army said the incursion was aimed at rooting out weapons smuggling tunnels in the area. No casualties were reported.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia called the offensive in northern Gaza "part of a series of planned Israeli attacks to bring our people to their knees, but this will never happen."
The military campaign, launched after a rocket strike on the Israeli border town of Sderot killed two children, ended after nightfall Friday, when Israel withdrew tanks and ground forces from populated areas.
But Israeli officials conceded the operation was unlikely to halt the rocket attacks altogether and stressed that the army was prepared to return if necessary.
Five Israelis -- including the two preschoolers, two soldiers and a woman jogger -- were killed during the incursion.
Damage
Palestinians awoke to a scene of heavy damage Saturday, sifting through rubble in search of belongings. Dozens of homes were destroyed, farmland was uprooted and roads and infrastructure were torn up.
A military official said the offensive "managed to dramatically reduce" the ability of militants to fire rockets, although the threat of future attacks remains.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the operation eliminated many militant cells and the civilian casualties were "regrettable."
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Israel Channel 2 television that while Israeli forces had pulled back in northern Gaza, troops remain committed to battling the rocket threat -- a strong hint that Israel believes more homemade Qassams will be launched.
"We are continuing to fight against the Qassams," he said.
Throughout the offensive, Palestinian militants managed to fire rockets toward southern Israel, although the frequency and intensity of the attacks decreased.
The Israeli operation focused on the Jebaliya refugee camp and the towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, the main launching grounds for hundreds of Qassams in the past four years.
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