Gazans Try to Reach Israel Via Tunnel

Palestinians gather around the remains of the statue of The Unknown Soldier after it was brought down by Palestinian militants in Gaza City, Sunday, June 17, 2007. Militants tore down Gaza's unknown soldier early Sunday morning, smashing the statue's head, and dumping the fiberglass remains in the Strip's main square. The Unknown Soldier once stood a Gaza park close to the parliamentary building, his head upright and his hand raised into the sky. The statue's location was a popular place for militant press conferences, where lovers secretly met and men smoked water pipes in the evening. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (Khalil Hamra - AP)

"Even in Iran, they have statues," said Abu Mohammed. "This was a symbol of peace. A soldier without a family."

It was not clear who tore down the statue. Hamas officials condemned the act.

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There's no better barometer of panic in Gaza than the price of cigarettes.

Overnight, a packet of Marlboros shot up a third, from $3.75 to $5 _ a small fortune for impoverished Gazans.

Around a third of Gaza men smoke, and many are now rationing their precious cigs as store supplies dry up. Hamas' security apparatus has warned traders against hoarding, but to no avail.

Mohammed Skeik, 22, who makes sandwiches for a living, said he begged a cigarette seller to put aside a pack of locally made "Jamal" cigarettes, considered cheap and nasty.

Still, their prices rose from $1.50 to $2.25.

Skeik now tries to keep a half-packet stashed away.

"I told myself, no my boy, keep it for emergency," he said.