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Abbas calls for calm before talks Abbas calls for calm before talks
(about 3 hours later)
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says peace talks with Israel can only resume when calm has been restored between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas says peace talks with Israel can only resume when calm has been restored between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip.
Mr Abbas broke off negotiations on Sunday during an Israeli offensive that killed more than 120 Palestinians.Mr Abbas broke off negotiations on Sunday during an Israeli offensive that killed more than 120 Palestinians.
Israeli forces briefly re-entered Gaza on Tuesday, clashing with Palestinian militants and leaving two dead.Israeli forces briefly re-entered Gaza on Tuesday, clashing with Palestinian militants and leaving two dead.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at the end of a visit to the region, has called for negotiations to resume.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at the end of a visit to the region, has called for negotiations to resume.
She also said a tri-lateral group monitoring implementation of the international peace plan, known as the roadmap, would hold its first meeting next week.She also said a tri-lateral group monitoring implementation of the international peace plan, known as the roadmap, would hold its first meeting next week.
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Mr Abbas told reporters on Wednesday that Palestinian-Israeli negotiations must be resumed "but after reaching calm".Mr Abbas told reporters on Wednesday that Palestinian-Israeli negotiations must be resumed "but after reaching calm".
However, in comments that apparently contradict this statement, Ms Rice told a news conference later that the Palestinian leader has said that a period of calm was "not a condition for the resumption of the talks".However, in comments that apparently contradict this statement, Ms Rice told a news conference later that the Palestinian leader has said that a period of calm was "not a condition for the resumption of the talks".
"I've been informed by the parties that they intend to resume the negotiations and that they are in contact with one another as to how to bring this about," Ms Rice said after meeting her Israeli counterpart, Tzipi Livni."I've been informed by the parties that they intend to resume the negotiations and that they are in contact with one another as to how to bring this about," Ms Rice said after meeting her Israeli counterpart, Tzipi Livni.
Certainly the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations must be resumed, but after reaching calm Mahmoud Abbas Gazans discuss Israeli raids href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7276138.stm">An asymmetric fight Certainly the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations must be resumed, but after reaching calm Mahmoud Abbas Gazans discuss Israeli raids href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7280037.stm">Can peace talks resume?
More than 120 Palestinians have died in the violence over the past week, including a senior militant and a baby girl on Tuesday, Palestinian officials said.More than 120 Palestinians have died in the violence over the past week, including a senior militant and a baby girl on Tuesday, Palestinian officials said.
Two Israeli soldiers and an Israeli civilian have also been killed.Two Israeli soldiers and an Israeli civilian have also been killed.
Israel says its actions are aimed at stopping rocket attacks by Hamas militants, and that operations will continue as long as it is the rocket fire continues.Israel says its actions are aimed at stopping rocket attacks by Hamas militants, and that operations will continue as long as it is the rocket fire continues.
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has rejected calls for a ceasefire and blames Israel for the violence.Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has rejected calls for a ceasefire and blames Israel for the violence.
"We are in a state of self-defence. When the siege and all forms of aggression come to a stop then we will see," its spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Tuesday."We are in a state of self-defence. When the siege and all forms of aggression come to a stop then we will see," its spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Tuesday.