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US envoy visits amid Gaza clashes US envoy visits amid Gaza clashes
(30 minutes later)
The new US envoy for the Middle East is on his first official visit to Israel, a day after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants in Gaza.The new US envoy for the Middle East is on his first official visit to Israel, a day after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants in Gaza.
George Mitchell is to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - but not Hamas, which controls Gaza.George Mitchell is to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - but not Hamas, which controls Gaza.
He will hear views about the best way to move forward, a US spokesman said.He will hear views about the best way to move forward, a US spokesman said.
Mr Mitchell's visit comes amid fresh violence in Gaza, despite separate ceasefires from both sides.Mr Mitchell's visit comes amid fresh violence in Gaza, despite separate ceasefires from both sides.
Overnight Israeli air strikes targeted Gaza's border with Egypt, as part of Israel's response to a bomb attack on one of its patrols on Tuesday, which killed one soldier and wounded three.Overnight Israeli air strikes targeted Gaza's border with Egypt, as part of Israel's response to a bomb attack on one of its patrols on Tuesday, which killed one soldier and wounded three.
Residents near the town of Rafah fled as missiles hit tunnels through which Israel says militants smuggle arms.Residents near the town of Rafah fled as missiles hit tunnels through which Israel says militants smuggle arms.
On Tuesday fighting around the town of Khan Younis and the Kissufim border crossing left one Palestinian dead, medical sources said.On Tuesday fighting around the town of Khan Younis and the Kissufim border crossing left one Palestinian dead, medical sources said.
The latest violence is a sign of just how fragile the truce is, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem.The latest violence is a sign of just how fragile the truce is, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem.
'Initial response''Initial response'
Mr Mitchell was appointed envoy to the Middle East last week by US President Barack Obama. Gaza is a closed world. The vast majority of the 1.5 million people who live here are never allowed to leave. Jeremy Bowen Bowen diary: Family tragedyCounting casualties of Gaza's warAid worker diary: Part 22Mr Mitchell was appointed envoy to the Middle East last week by US President Barack Obama. Gaza is a closed world. The vast majority of the 1.5 million people who live here are never allowed to leave. Jeremy Bowen Bowen diary: Family tragedyCounting casualties of Gaza's warAid worker diary: Part 22
He was travelling to Israel from Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has been mediating between Israel and HamasHe was travelling to Israel from Cairo, where he held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has been mediating between Israel and Hamas
Over the next two days the US envoy will meet top Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss how to achieve a permanent peace between the two sides.Over the next two days the US envoy will meet top Israeli and Palestinian leaders to discuss how to achieve a permanent peace between the two sides.
The Israelis will want to hear what Mr Mitchell has to say about US ideas for advancing the peace process and how Washington will tackle the Iranian nuclear issue, our correspondent says.The Israelis will want to hear what Mr Mitchell has to say about US ideas for advancing the peace process and how Washington will tackle the Iranian nuclear issue, our correspondent says.
But with the Israeli elections due to take place next month, it is likely that Mr Mitchell will spend much of his time listening - as Mr Obama has asked him to do, our correspondent adds.But with the Israeli elections due to take place next month, it is likely that Mr Mitchell will spend much of his time listening - as Mr Obama has asked him to do, our correspondent adds.
Speaking after his meeting with Mr Mubarak, on his way to Israel, Mr Mitchell said it was of "critical importance that the ceasefire be extended and consolidated".Speaking after his meeting with Mr Mubarak, on his way to Israel, Mr Mitchell said it was of "critical importance that the ceasefire be extended and consolidated".
Israel declared an end to its three-week operation in Gaza on 17 January; Hamas followed with its own suspension of hostilities a day later. Mr Obama's decision to send him to the Middle East less than a week after his inauguration was "clear and tangible evidence" of his commitment to building a lasting peace in the region, he said.
Tuesday's violence was the most serious since both ceasefires were announced. Sporadic violence continues as Gaza residents try to rebuild their lives Israel declared an end to its three-week operation in Gaza on 17 January; Hamas followed with its own suspension of hostilities a day later.Sporadic violence continues as Gaza residents try to rebuild their lives
Tuesday's violence was the most serious since both ceasefires were announced.
Speaking late on Tuesday, Mr Olmert said the airstrikes on Rafah were only an initial response to the attack on the patrol and that Israel's full response was still to come, Israeli websites reported.Speaking late on Tuesday, Mr Olmert said the airstrikes on Rafah were only an initial response to the attack on the patrol and that Israel's full response was still to come, Israeli websites reported.
Israel wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming; Hamas wants an end to Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza.Israel wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming; Hamas wants an end to Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza.
More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its land, sea and air operations against Hamas militants on 27 December, including 400 children. Fourteen Israelis have died.More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its land, sea and air operations against Hamas militants on 27 December, including 400 children. Fourteen Israelis have died.