Israel launches new Gaza strike, raids West Bank

Israel launched a new strike on the Gaza Strip and arrested more than 200 suspected militants in a massive sweep in the West Bank Sunday after warning Palestinians of a crushing response to rocket attacks from Gaza.

The worst surge in violence since Israel's pullout from Gaza on September 12 after 38 years of occupation put pressure on a shaky ceasefire and on Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as he tried to defeat a rightist leadership challenge over the withdrawal.

Pledging to use all means to stop Palestinian attacks, Sharon told his cabinet: "We don't intend here to stage a one-time action, but intend to carry out a continued action, whose aim is to hurt the terrorists and not to let up."

Sharon spoke after a helicopter fired two missiles in northern Gaza. A military source said buildings used by militants were targeted. There were no reports of casualties a day after similar strikes killed two militants and hurt 20 people.

In the West Bank, troops arrested 207 suspected Islamic militants in the toughest crackdown for months. Among those held were Hamas leaders Hassan Youssef and Mohammed Ghazal, known as a relative moderate in the group, which is committed to destroying Israel.

Troops are poised outside the Gaza Strip for a possible ground offensive. Artillery fired three shells near the territory in what one security source called "range practice."

Sharon's inner cabinet also agreed to resume assassinations of top militants, suspended since a February truce, and gave a green light for the unprecedented use of artillery. Israeli media said the army operation was dubbed "First Rain."

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei accused Israel of trying to wreck hopes of reviving peace negotiations that have been kindled by the Gaza withdrawal.

The latest spiral of violence intensified when a blast killed 15 people at a Hamas rally in Gaza on Friday.

Hamas blamed Israel and militants fired at least 40 rockets into the Jewish state in response, though Israel denied responsibility and the Palestinian Authority said it appeared to be an accident caused by Hamas members carrying explosives.

Hamas vowed revenge for the latest Israeli strikes and raids. Spokesman Mushir al-Masri said the violence could "open the doors to hell." Hamas leaders would take extra precautions against Israeli attacks, he said.

The United States said it could understand Israel's decision to launch strikes on the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the European Union said they were concerned by the escalation and urged restraint.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday he did not plan to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on October 2 despite Israel's announcement that a summit had been set.

"There won't be a meeting on Oct. 2," Abbas told reporters. "We said no. Why? Because if we want a successful meeting, then we should prepare for it."

Source: China Daily