Sharon hints at new army offensive on Gaza Strip

Ariel Sharon may be planning a military offensive against the Gaza Strip, the heartland of anti-Israeli militancy.

The Israeli Prime Minister told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee that "terror" in the Gaza Strip was "ongoing", remarks that will seen by many Israelis as an indication that tanks and troops are poised to strike.

Gaza is said by sources to be "wired" for an attack, raising the possibility of a battle that could dwarf the nine-day conflict that led to the devastation of Jenin refugee camp.

Ominously, a senior Israeli army officer reported to the same committee yesterday that there had recently been 250 "terror attacks" in the strip.