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CNN Live At Daybreak

Israeli Forces Target Area Suspected of Weapons Smuggling

Aired October 14, 2003 - 05:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: To the Middle East now, Israeli forces target an area suspected of weapons smuggling.
For the latest on that, we turn to our Chris Burns, who is live in Jerusalem -- hello, Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, Carol.

We've got some fresh pictures to show you of this latest incursion by the Israelis, which began, according to witnesses on the ground, with apache helicopters firing in overnight into the Rafah refugee camp that borders the Egyptian border. The Israelis saying, as they sent in dozens of tanks and armored vehicles once again, saying that they're going after tunnels between Egypt and Gaza that they say are allowing the militants to spirit weapons into Gaza to launch more attacks against Israelis.

Now, the latest count, according to Palestinian sources, is four more injured, four more arrested, three more homes destroyed. But this comes in the wake of the previous operation over the weekend, similar operation, where the Israelis say they found three tunnels and destroyed them, but also in so doing eight Palestinians were killed, including two youths. Also, more than 60 were injured. More than 100 homes destroyed and more than 1,200 people, according to U.N. sources, were left homeless. And this has brought severe criticism, condemnation from the Palestinians and even criticism from U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, calling this an excessive use of force.

The Israelis arguing that the militants are hiding in civilian areas, they need to do this. comes in the wake, 10 days after the Rafah suicide bombing that killed some 20 people and injured some more than 50. The Israelis insisting they have to do this, but they're coming under severe criticism -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Chris Burns reporting live from Jerusalem this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired October 14, 2003 - 05:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: To the Middle East now, Israeli forces target an area suspected of weapons smuggling.
For the latest on that, we turn to our Chris Burns, who is live in Jerusalem -- hello, Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, Carol.

We've got some fresh pictures to show you of this latest incursion by the Israelis, which began, according to witnesses on the ground, with apache helicopters firing in overnight into the Rafah refugee camp that borders the Egyptian border. The Israelis saying, as they sent in dozens of tanks and armored vehicles once again, saying that they're going after tunnels between Egypt and Gaza that they say are allowing the militants to spirit weapons into Gaza to launch more attacks against Israelis.

Now, the latest count, according to Palestinian sources, is four more injured, four more arrested, three more homes destroyed. But this comes in the wake of the previous operation over the weekend, similar operation, where the Israelis say they found three tunnels and destroyed them, but also in so doing eight Palestinians were killed, including two youths. Also, more than 60 were injured. More than 100 homes destroyed and more than 1,200 people, according to U.N. sources, were left homeless. And this has brought severe criticism, condemnation from the Palestinians and even criticism from U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, calling this an excessive use of force.

The Israelis arguing that the militants are hiding in civilian areas, they need to do this. comes in the wake, 10 days after the Rafah suicide bombing that killed some 20 people and injured some more than 50. The Israelis insisting they have to do this, but they're coming under severe criticism -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Chris Burns reporting live from Jerusalem this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com