Jerusalem, Aug 07: Israel sent tanks and helicopters into the northern Gaza Strip today, killing one Palestinian as it stepped up efforts to deter attacks by threatening to revoke the citizenship of Israeli Arabs involved in bombings or shootings. As another deterrent, Israel won backing yesterday from the Supreme Court for its widely criticised policy of demolishing the houses of assailants. Israel is still awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether it can deport relatives of assailants to Gaza.

In its Gaza incursion, between 15-30 tanks and armoured vehicles, backed by helicopters, moved to within a kilometre of the Jebalya Refugee Camp north of Gaza city, firing shells and machine gunfire at houses, Palestinian security officials and residents said. A 28-year-old Palestinian died after being shot in the head, apparently by a stray bullet, as he slept on his roof, hospital officials said.

The army said it was checking the report. Troops searched homes for suspected militants, but it wasn't clear if any arrests were made. Tanks began pulling back from the area about two-and-a-half hours after they entered.

The incursion followed an Israeli missile attack Monday on a suspected weapons factory in Gaza city that left four people slightly injured.

Later today, top Palestinian officials were expected to leave for Washington for two days of talks with Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice. Bureau Report