NEWS:
Egypt destroys homes for possible Gaza
buffer zone
CAIRO: Egyptian security officials and
residents say the military has demolished 13
homes along the Gaza Strip border for the
possible creation of a buffer zone they hope
will reduce weapons smuggling and illegal
crossings by militants.
Northern Sinai government officials said
Sunday the military envisions creating a
house-free zone with no trees 500 meters
(1640 feet) wide and 10 kilometers (6
miles) long starting at the Rafah border
crossing. The officials said the homes with
tunnels underneath them were bulldozed over
the last 10 days as a test of the idea.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because
they were not authorized to speak to the
media. The Egyptian military has closed much
of the once-bustling tunnel system, but some
remain at the 15-kilometer (9-mile) stretch
of border. -- AP
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