Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations　

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel will work to restore calm in the south of the Jewish state, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday morning.

    "We are not eager to fight, but we do not fear a battle," Olmert was quoted by local daily Yedioth Ahronoth as saying at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting.

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his office in Jerusalem November 16, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "In any event, we shall not tolerate the price tag the terror organizations are attempting to set. We have operated and will continue to target those violating the truce," said the outgoing premier.

    Two hours before the cabinet meeting, two Qassam rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, landing near a kibbutz in the Eshkol Regional Council.

    The Israel Air Force attacked a Qassam launching cell in response, killing four gunmen and injuring at least six, according to Yedioth Ahronoth.

    The gunmen belongs to the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), a military group loyal to Islamic Hamas movement which controls Gaza and observes a ceasefire with Israel.

    The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire, which took effect in June, was left near collapse since a wave of violence erupted on November 4.The latest airstrike brings to 14 the number of Palestinians killed in the violence.

    Abu Mujahed, a spokesman for the PRC, vowed to respond to the Israeli escalation. "For us, the lull is over and we won't renew it... we will respond in every time and every place."

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (2nd R) and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (2nd L) attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem November 16, 2008. Israel's cabinet was to consider at its weekly meeting later in the day whether to open Gaza border crossings it closed after violence flared nearly two weeks ago and allow humanitarian supplies into the impoverished enclave.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    On Saturday, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that her country would use forces to protect its citizens from attacks by Palestinian militants from Gaza.

    The promising premiership contender in the February general election added that if the situation in southern Israel becomes quiet and Gazan militants do not exploit the lull to prepare for the next attack, Israel will maintain the calm.

    With a similar stance, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak alsowarned on Saturday that Israeli army would carry out military operations in the Hamas-ruled enclave should Gazan militants continue to launch cross-border attacks.

    Yet the former prime minister also hinted his willingness to see the five-month-old Gaza truce remain in shape, saying that "wemust work with forethought and discretion" when considering the military option.

    Both sides had generally honored the truce before the recent flare-up, and Israeli officials have voiced willingness to extend the ceasefire after its initial six-month phase which expires next month. 

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert attends the weekly cabinet meeting in his office in Jerusalem November 16, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

 

Hamas denies pledge to stop rocket attacks against Israel
 
   GAZA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Hamas movement denied on Sunday that it has given pledge to some party to stop homemade rockets attacks on Israel.

    Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, told reporters that his movement has made only one pledge "that it would response to any Zionist attack on our people," as long as Israel continues its military offensive against the Gaza Strip. Full story

Mofaz: Israel must launch personal targeted killing policy against Hamas

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel must stop talking and launch a personal targeted killing policy against the Hamas government, Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Sunday, slamming the Israeli leadership and demanding policy change.

    "We must take a targeted killing policy against the Hamas leadership. It must be part of our overall policy, which should determine concrete actions against all the terror organizations," Mofaz was quoted by local news service Ynet as saying. Full story

Palestinian forces arrest 12 Hamas members in West Bank

   RAMALLAH, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian security forces arrested 12 members of Hamas in West Bank in an ongoing crackdown against the Islamic movement, Hamas said on Sunday.

    The arrests, by the forces loyal to president Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, took place in the cities of Nablus, Salfeet and Hebron, a statement by Hamas said. Full story
 
Hamas pledges to strike back at Israeli attacks

   GAZA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement on Sunday pledged to respond to any Israeli military operation in Gaza Strip despite ceasefire.

    "Hamas has promised one thing: it will heavily respond to any Zionist offensive or attacks against our people," Hamas' spokesman Fawzi Barhoum told reporters. Full story

British FM visits Israel to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace talks
   JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary David Miliband arrived in Israel on Sunday for a two-day visit aimed at advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, local daily Ha'aretz reported on its website.

    "My visit to Israel will allow me to listen to all of Israel's political leaders at this important time," said the foreign secretary before departing for the Middle East.Full story 

Israeli drone kills 4 militants in eastern Gaza city

    GAZA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli drone killed four Palestinian militants in eastern Gaza city on Sunday morning as Israel extended closure of crossing points for the 12th day in a row, witnesses and medical sources said.

    The witnesses said an Israeli drone fired a missile towards the group of fighters who apparently were preparing to launch a home-made rocket into Israel. Full story