Israel evacuates wounded Palestinians from Gaza

GAZA, June 19 (Reuters) Israel evacuated today Palestinians wounded in Gaza fighting and in a shooting at a border crossing, where dozens have been trapped for days since Hamas Islamists routed Fatah forces in the coastal strip.

An Israeli military spokesman said about half a dozen Palestinians were taken to Israeli hospitals for further treatment.

Some of those evacuated had been wounded -- possibly by crossfire -- in a shootout between Israeli soldiers and Hamas gunmen at the border terminal yesterday.

An official of the International Commission of the Red Cross told Israel Radio at least six of the wounded had been brought from hospitals inside Gaza to the crossing where they were met by Israeli ambulances and taken to hospitals in Israel.

The rescue was conducted under a veil of secrecy due to Israeli concerns that 150 Palestinians trapped at the crossing for days since deadly clashes between Hamas and forces loyal to the Western-backed Abbas, would try to flee to Israel.

Israel had permitted dozens to flee from Gaza to the occupied West Bank, then largely halted the flow citing security concerns about some of those seeking refuge.

Israeli tanks protected the ambulances by entering the crossing earlier on Tuesday, and army bulldozers removed roadblocks.

Israel also permitted truckloads of food and medical equipment sent by international aid groups to enter Gaza through another Gaza crossing, Israeli radio stations said.

These operations took place as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with US President George W Bush at the White House, both of whom have sought to bolster Abbas.

An aide to Olmert quoted him on Monday as saying Israel would not intervene or move forces but would ''take into consideration all humanitarian needs in Gaza''.

Dozens of the Palestinians at Erez were seen sitting and lying down on the dusty ground, some barefoot or in casts. Children sat behind luggage or in the arms of their mothers.

''This is the fifth day for us in the crossing,'' said Um Mohammed. ''We will not be able to come back to Gaza. Internal fighting chased us to Erez after we fled from Gaza. We fled Gaza because we are not safe -- everybody is threatened.'' REUTERS PY RAI2248