Israeli forces raid Palestinian stronghold in Gaza
GAZA, Sep 21 (Reuters) Israeli special forces backed by at least one transport helicopter raided a Palestinian militant stronghold in the southern Gaza Strip today, touching off fierce battles with local militants, witnesses said.
They said the troops were believed to have circled a house belonging to suspected gunmen from the governing Islamic group Hamas in Rafah, a town on Gaza's southern border with Egypt that sees regular arms smuggling.
Rafah is also the area where Israel believes a soldier abducted by Gazan gunmen in a June 25 border raid might be held.
REUTERS DKS BST0503
Story first published: Thursday, September 21, 2006, 12:32 [IST]