Israeli offensive affects Abbas-Olmert meeting: Palestinian official

Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territories could negatively affect an upcoming meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Sunday.

"The two men will meet to reinforce ceasefire but the violence brings violence, and Israel must understand this," Erekat, a close ally with Abbas, told Voice of Palestine radio.

Abbas said on May 29 that he will meet Olmert on June 7. But Erekat said no date has been set for the meeting, adding contacts with the Israelis to arrange for the meeting were underway.

The Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in the West Bank during ground operations since Saturday night.

A Palestinian civilian was killed on Saturday night in Nablus, and a Palestinian militant, affiliated with Abbas' Fatah movement, was killed on Sunday morning during clashes with Israeli forces in Jenin refugee camp.

Source: Xinhua