BEIT HANOUN, Feb 13: Israeli forces killed five Palestinian policemen in raids in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday after vowing to carve “security zones” in Palestinian areas to protect Israeli cities threatened by a new missile.

The army said the raids on Palestinian-ruled Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza, and Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya further to the north, were a response to Sunday’s unprecedented launch of two Qassam-2 rockets by the Hamas.

They triggered sporadic gunfights between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers, overshadowing new international efforts to stem 16 months of bloodshed.

The Israeli army said tanks, infantry and special forces were still searching for Palestinians and arms in Beit Hanoun five hours after the raids began before midnight, but had pulled back from Deir al-Balah and Beit Lahiya.

Palestinian security officials said three policemen were killed in Deir al-Balah when an Israeli bulldozer destroyed their post. Troops shot dead a fourth policeman in an exchange of fire in Beit Hanoun and at least six people were arrested, Palestinian witnesses and hospital officials said.

The army was checking the reported deaths, the latest in a conflict that has killed at least 841 Palestinians and 256 Israelis since a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza began in Sept 2000.

An Israeli tank blocked the main entrance to Beit Hanoun, where dozens of youngsters threw stones at troops in driving rain despite a military curfew. An army bulldozer tore up the asphalt road and left the debris in piles to block traffic.

“The reoccupation of the northern Gaza Strip sabotages Palestinian, international and Arab efforts to restore calm,” said Palestinian public security chief Abdel-Razek al-Majaydeh.

“We say to the Israeli leaders you will not be able to achieve security and peace by tanks and helicopters.”

RARE CENSURE: Before the raids, the United States said Israeli attacks in heavily populated areas were counter-productive, a rare rap on the knuckles for Israel from Washington.