Six Saudis and a Yemeni held in Saudi Arabia on security charges have escaped a detention center in Riyadh, state news agency SPA said on Saturday. "Seven detainees at Malaz prison in Riyadh, held in connection with security cases, were able to leave the detention center," SPA quoted an Interior Ministry statement as saying.

It did not say when the incident took place. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television reported the seven were linked to al Qaeda.

"Since they violated regulations, their cases will be withdrawn from the investigating committee and public prosecution and their trial procedures will be halted," the Interior Ministry said. "If they do not return to the detention center, they will not be eligible for the amnesty granted by the king and will become wanted by security forces."

© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Some 15 Israeli tanks entered the Gaza Strip through the Karni (Mintar) border crossing early Saturday morning in a new assault on the Palestinian-held territory. The tanks moved some 500 meters within the Shajaiyeh neighborhood and engaged in fierce fighting with local fighters.

The Israel Air Force fired missiles at a group of Palestinians gathered at the outskirts of Shajaiyeh, killing at least two people, Palestinian security and hospital officials said.

A Palestinian was critically wounded the Israeli fire early Saturday, it was reported. He later died of his wounds. The Israeli side said the forces were deployed in order to search for tunnels used by Palestinian fighters.

Israeli troops killed 32 Palestinians in two days of airstrikes and artillery barrages, Palestinian officials said.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council on Friday to take a stand on Israel's violent operations. Qatar has circulated a draft resolution demanding that Israel end its offensive and free Palestinian officials detained during the operation.

Annan appealed to Israel and the Palestinians to "pull back from the brink for the sake of all civilians in the region." According to the AP, he called on Israel to halt what he said was the disproportionate use of force.

© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)