Missile strike knocks out power in Rafah camp

Israel Air Force helicopters fired five missiles into the fringes of Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on Sunday night but there was no immediate word of casualties.

The army said the missile fire was meant to dissuade terrorists from carrying out attacks in the area, Israel Radio reported. Troops were also firing artillery shells at abandoned building in the camp.

Witnesses said one missile hit a power transformer, causing a power blackout in the large urban camp of 80,000 people.

The other missiles landed nearby, in an area abutting the border with Egypt where Israel Defense Forces troops had earlier razed housing in raids against militant groups.

Medics said ambulances were trying to get to the area where the missiles crashed to check for possible casualties but darkness from the blackout was hindering their efforts.

	A Palestinian boy sitting atop the rubble of a destroyed house in the Gaza Strip last week. (AP)