The buildings that the IDF demolished last week were uninhabited for several months prior to their destruction. The IDF Spokesman reiterated today that continuous observation of the buildings showed that no lights had been lit there during this period, and that thermal gauging showed that the buildings were empty of people. IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha\'ul Mofaz said yesterday that all 23 buildings razed by the army were uninhabited and were used to launch thousands of attacks. \"Claims to the contrary are merely a PA propaganda ploy,\" Mofaz said, emphasizing that army orders ban the demolition of inhabited homes. Despite this, Arab MK Issam Mahoul said that he would make sure that those responsible for razing the buildings would be tried in an international court of law.



Lt.-Gen. Mofaz also reported yesterday that over 30 smuggling tunnels were uncovered in Rafiach recently. He said that they were used to smuggle weapons and ammunition from Egypt into Palestinian Authority areas in the Gaza Strip.