Avi Dichter told the foreign affairs and defence committee that movable Stinger missiles had been smuggled into Gaza from Egypt which could pose a serious threat for Israeli assault helicopters, the sources added.

The domestic intelligence chief warned against any Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor on the Gaza-Egypt border, as part of Israel's plan to evacuate soldiers and settlers from the Gaza Strip by the end of the year.

"A withdrawal from the Philadelphi corridor would make southern Israel a new southern Lebanon," said Dichter, referring to daily attacks on soldiers from Hezbollah militants until Israel evacuated the area in May 2000.

The Israeli government has yet to make a decision on whether to also withdraw from the Gaza border as talks continue with Cairo on Egyptian means to control its side of the border after territory comes under Palestinian control.

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