Rafah, May 19: Thousands of residents of the Besieged Tel Sultan neighbourhood of this refugee camp began surrendering today, heading toward the town square with white flags, the army and residents said.
Troops called on armed men to surrender, and about 2,000 men gathered in the center, carrying white flags, residents and the army said. Residents said the army had issued a second call for all men to surrender.
"We have all left our homes, and tanks are surrounding us from all sides. From time to time they are firing machine guns randomly," said Izzedeen Adwan, 27.
An army spokeswoman said Palestinian snipers inside houses fired on the surrendering crowds, wounding at least two people.
Palestinians said Israeli troops fired on two surrendering teenagers, killing one of them.
Soldiers called on gunmen to surrender to prevent gun battles and casualties, the spokeswoman said.
Bureau Report