JERUSALEM, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister and Labor party leader Amir Peretz said on Sunday that Israel would agree to make concession only if the Palestinians end violence against the Jewish state, local Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

    "To our Palestinian neighbors, we say not through the path of terror will you accomplish your goals," Peretz was quoted as saying at a ceremony to mark his takeover of the Ministry of Defense.

    "You must abandon the terrorism, and then you will again find the hand of the Israeli government extended towards you with a readiness to reach agreements, with the price of painful concessions."

    Shaul Mofaz, the outgoing defense minister, expressed confidence in Peretz's ability to perform his duty.

    An Israeli air strike on a training camp killed five Palestinian militants in Gaza on Friday in the first such strike ordered by Peretz since his swearing-in on Thursday. Enditem