Palestinian security forces destroyed an arms-smuggling tunnel on Gaza's border with Egypt today as part of a new campaign to halt violence between militants and Israeli troops, Palestinian officials said.
The commander of security forces in Gaza's southern border area said the demolition in the Rafah refugee camp was the start of a broader crackdown on tunnels through which militants smuggle weapons from Egypt - a major concern for Israel.
Palestinians said destroying the tunnel would help prevent incursions by Israeli troops, who have repeatedly raided Rafah camp - a flashpoint of violence - and flattened the homes of at least 15,000 refugees living there.
It was the first such demolition since Palestinian forces deployed in south Gaza last week under orders from President Mahmoud Abbas to stop mortar and rocket attacks on Israel and Gaza's Jewish settlements so that peace talks can restart.
"We will continue our security activity in order to eliminate any pretext for the occupation forces to raid the camp and demolish people's houses," Lieutenant Colonel Hussein Abu A'athra said.
"Our work is being praised by residents of the area."
Mr Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon are due to hold a summit in Egypt next week - the highest-level meeting between the two sides in the four years since the Palestinian uprising began.
The tunnel, which was still under construction, stretched 70 metres toward Egypt but was well short of the border fence. Dozens of Palestinians surrounded the police as they worked and said they were pleased the job was not being done by Israel.
"We appreciate the work of our security forces. We need to feel safe and secure," said Rafah resident Jamal al-Reyati. "It is better that Palestinian security do it than that occupation forces raid and destroy the homes."