(IsraelNN.com) As fierce battles that are rapidly developing into a war heat up between Russia and Georgia, approximately 200 Georgian Jews have fled their homes in the Gori area while the two forces lock horns over the separatist region of South Ossetia.

The new refugees, who fled the combat zone at the advice of the Jewish Agency, headed for the comparative safety of the Georgian capital of Tbilisi after Russian jets bombed the city of Gori and oil pipelines in the area.
 
Georgian soldiers had reportedly retreated Sunday morning from South Ossetia following fierce fighting with Russian troops for control of the separatist region. The two forces had been fighting for control of the city of Tskhinvali, capital of the mountainous rebel region, according to Georgian Interior Ministry communications director Shota Utiashvili. “They have been withdrawn completely because of the heavy civilian casualties Georgia has suffered,” he told the Reuters news agency."

Russian military spokesman Vladimir Ivanov told a different tale, however. “Georgia has not withdrawn forces from South Ossetia,” he told the Interfax news agency. Ivanov, an aide to the commander of the Russian forces in South Ossetia, said Georgian soldiers, artillery and armor were still on the battlefield.

The conflicting reports were resolved with a statement by Georgian Reintegration Minister Temur Yakobashvili, who clarified that troops had left the city to “change location.” Yakobashvili said Georgian forces remained in South Ossetia but had withdrawn from the city in order to create a humanitarian corridor in which to evacuate the wounded.

Some 2,000 people have been killed since the battle over South Ossetia broke out between the two countries on Friday.

Tbilisi Military Airfield Bombed
Early Sunday morning Russia bombed the Tbilaviastroi plane factory on the eastern outskirts of the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, dropping three bombs on to the military airfield outside the plant.

The Russian attack was aimed at the factory, which produces Sukhoi Su-25 ground fighters and not the nearby civilian international airport. Runways were damaged, but there were no casualties.

The Kremlin went to the aid of South Ossetia on Friday after US-allied Georgia initiated a bid to seize control of the pro-Russian region.

Israel Considers Ban on Military Sales to Georgia
Meanwhile, Israel is considering a complete halt to its sale of arms and other military equipment to Georgia as a result of the fighting, a move that follows a decision made a year ago to limit such sales to defensive-related items only.

Jerusalem officials expressed concern that Russia would retaliate against Israel by selling more advanced weaponry to Syria and Iran.

In particular, Israel is concerned with Russia’s sale of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Iran. “The day we will want to prevent a future deal with Iran, our hands must be clean,” said a senior political source.

Israeli military equipment brokers have done business with Georgia since the 1990s.