21/08/2003
Hamas ends truce after Israeli rocket attack
The uneasy truce between the Israeli government and Palestinian extremist groups has been shattered today after a helicopter rocket attack in Gaza killed a leading Hamas chief and his two bodyguards.
The Israeli strikes were in retaliation for a suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem earlier this week which killed 20 people and injured around 100 others.
Hamas issued an immediate response to the "targeted assassination" of Ismail Abu Shanab, declaring the eight-week old truce – set in place to allow breathing space for the road map peace process – at an end.
Israeli officials rejected the notion that the strike was designed to derail the process, saying that the actions of the security services against terrorist organizations were meant to "allow for the furthering of the process".
If the Palestinian government does not take "all the necessary steps" in the war against terror, it will not be possible to move on to the next stage of political discussions, the Israelis said.
At an Israeli Cabinet meeting today, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon restated his government's goals of "achieving security for the citizens" of Israel and "promoting the political process".
Earlier UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on the Israeli government not to be provoked by the suicide bomb outrage and "to act with restraint".
The 'road map' peace plan envisions the Israelis and the Palestinians taking a series of parallel steps to allow the two states to exist peacefully by 2005.
(gmcg)
The Israeli strikes were in retaliation for a suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem earlier this week which killed 20 people and injured around 100 others.
Hamas issued an immediate response to the "targeted assassination" of Ismail Abu Shanab, declaring the eight-week old truce – set in place to allow breathing space for the road map peace process – at an end.
Israeli officials rejected the notion that the strike was designed to derail the process, saying that the actions of the security services against terrorist organizations were meant to "allow for the furthering of the process".
If the Palestinian government does not take "all the necessary steps" in the war against terror, it will not be possible to move on to the next stage of political discussions, the Israelis said.
At an Israeli Cabinet meeting today, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon restated his government's goals of "achieving security for the citizens" of Israel and "promoting the political process".
Earlier UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called on the Israeli government not to be provoked by the suicide bomb outrage and "to act with restraint".
The 'road map' peace plan envisions the Israelis and the Palestinians taking a series of parallel steps to allow the two states to exist peacefully by 2005.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
07 August 2006
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
'Forty killed' in Israeli airstrike
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese border village has reportedly left 40 people dead. The airstrike on the southern Lebanese village of Houla was one of several fresh airstrikes on Lebanon, with reports of at least 20 fatalities in earlier raids in the country. Ground battles between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters are also continuing.
03 August 2006
Middle East ceasefire plan due 'within days'
A United Nations resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire in the Middle East could be agreed within the next few days, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
Middle East ceasefire plan due 'within days'
A United Nations resolution to pave the way for a ceasefire in the Middle East could be agreed within the next few days, Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
25 July 2006
Fierce ground fighting in Lebanon
Israeli forces are continuing to fight Hezbollah fighters in ground battles in Lebanon, according to reports. The latest news from the region indicates that fierce ground clashes are continuing in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which is believed to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
Fierce ground fighting in Lebanon
Israeli forces are continuing to fight Hezbollah fighters in ground battles in Lebanon, according to reports. The latest news from the region indicates that fierce ground clashes are continuing in the southern Lebanese town of Bint Jbeil, which is believed to be a Hezbollah stronghold.
14 March 2006
British office attacked in Gaza
Protestors have set fire to the British council building in Gaza, following an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison. It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage.
British office attacked in Gaza
Protestors have set fire to the British council building in Gaza, following an Israeli raid on a Palestinian prison. It has also been reported that several foreign nationals, including a Swiss Red Cross official, two French citizens and a Korean have been taken hostage.
16 August 2005
Gaza settlers clash with troops over Israeli pullout
Jewish settlers have been engaged in violent clashes with Israeli troops, as the pullout from the Gaza Strip continues. According to reports, more than 50 people have been arrested in the largest settlement, as Jewish settlers from 21 settlements leave Gaza ahead of the deadline off 22:00 BST on Tuesday night.
Gaza settlers clash with troops over Israeli pullout
Jewish settlers have been engaged in violent clashes with Israeli troops, as the pullout from the Gaza Strip continues. According to reports, more than 50 people have been arrested in the largest settlement, as Jewish settlers from 21 settlements leave Gaza ahead of the deadline off 22:00 BST on Tuesday night.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.