GAZA STRIP, April 14, 2004 (WAFA) - Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) escalated terror in different Gaza Strip cities, Palestinian security sources and witnesses said.... In the southern Gaza strip city of Deir al-Balah, IOF tanks and heavy artillery shelled civilians' houses, the security sources said.... The sources affirmed that Israeli troops, stationed at Kfar Darom Israeli colony, bombarded civilians' houses and Palestinian security posts near al-Berka area, south of Deir al-Balah, leaving a severe damage.... Meanwhile, IOF swept into Rafah City, south of Gaza Strip, opened heavy gunfire at civilians' houses and took over some high buildings, witnesses and security sources said.... Witnesses said that IOF bulldozers razed vast areas of arable land.... Elsewhere in Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers opened heavy random fire at houses in al-"Nemsawi" neighbourhood, causing a horrible state of panic among civilians, mostly women and children.... In the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Hanoon, IOF randomly opened fire at civilians' houses, witnesses said...