GAZA CITY, JULY 2, SPA -- ABOUT FIVE ISRAELI TANKS ANDBULLDOZERS MOVED INTO THE MOSTLY EMPTY ABASAN AREA NEAR THE SOUTHERN GAZA TOWN OF KHAN YOUNIS ON SATURDAY, PALESTINIAN SECURITY OFFICIALS SAID. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF FIGHTING OR CASUALTIES. ISRAELI TROOPS HAD ALREADY TAKEN UP POSITIONS IN VACANT AREAS NEAR THE PALESTINIAN TOWN OF RAFAH, BUT THE MOVE INTO ABASAN WAS THE FIRST TIME TROOPS ENTERED GAZA NORTH OF THAT AREA. THE TROOPS CROSSED THE BORDER WITH ISRAEL AND MOVED SEVERAL HUNDRED METERS INTO ABASAN ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE SECURITY OFFICIALS SAID. REUTERS QUOTED THE ISRAELI ARMY AS SAYING THAT THE RAID IN ABASAN WAS A LIMITED OPERATION AND THE SOLDIERS WERE EXPECTED TO LEAVE SOON. --SPA 02/07/2006 14:03 ت م www.spa.gov.sa/372771