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US urges stronger Gaza ceasefire | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
The new US envoy for the Middle East has said it is "critically" important to extend the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire. | |
George Mitchell's first official visit to the region came a day after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants in Gaza. | |
He met Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and intends to meet Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, but not Hamas. | |
Hours afterwards, a rocket was fired from Gaza into southern Israel, the first since the ceasefire 10 days ago. | |
The rocket hit the Eshkol region in the western Negev, Israeli officials said. There were no injuries or damage. | |
Shortly after the rocket attack, an Israeli jet pounded targets along Gaza's southern frontier with Egypt, in an area containing tunnels through which Israel says militants smuggle arms. | |
Residents flee | |
Mr Mitchell said his visit less than a week into a new US presidency showed the US commitment to peace. | |
He began his trip with meetings on Wednesday in Egypt with President Hosni Mubarak, who has been mediating between Israel and Hamas. | |
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 warWho will rebuild Gaza?IAEA head boycotts BBC "It is of critical importance that the ceasefire be extended and consolidated and we support Egypt's continuing efforts in that regard," said Mr Mitchell, appointed last week by US President Barack Obama. | |
"The United States is committed to vigorously pursuing lasting peace and stability in the region. | |
"The decision by President Obama to dispatch me to come to this region, less than one week after his inauguration, is a clear and tangible evidence of this commitment." | |
Earlier, residents near the town of Rafah had fled as 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. | |
On Tuesday, fighting around the town of Khan Younis and the Kissufim border crossing left one Palestinian dead, medical sources said. | |
'Initial response' | 'Initial response' |
Mr Mitchell met Mr Olmert on Wednesday. | |
"The prime minister and I discussed the critical importance to consolidate the ceasefire including a cessation of hostilities, an end to smuggling and reopening of the crossings based on 2005 agreements," Mr Mitchell said.George Mitchell discussed the ceasefire with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert | |
He is due to meet Mr Abbas, leader of the Palestinian faction Fatah, on Thursday as part of discussions on how to achieve a permanent peace between the two sides. | |
The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says Mr Mitchell has been careful not to go into detail about his meetings but has emphasised Washington's priority of creating a long-term ceasefire. | |
He also touched on Israel's key concern, that weapons smuggling into Gaza be stopped, and underlined Hamas's demand - that Israel's crossings into Gaza be fully opened for trade as well as aid. | |
But our correspondent says that on the ground the situation remains tense. Israeli politicians are in bullish pre-election mood, threatening swift reprisals for attacks on their soldiers or citizens. | |
Diplomats held | |
In a separate development, France summoned Israel's ambassador to complain after Israeli troops fired two warning shots at a convoy carrying French diplomats, as it was held for more than six hours at a Gaza border crossing. | |
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told Israel's ambassador to Paris that the incident was "unacceptable" and demanded explanations, a foreign ministry spokesman said. | |
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. | |
Tuesday's violence was the most serious since both ceasefires were announced. | 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's security cabinet met to discuss its response to the attack and officials said Defence Minister Ehud Barak had cancelled a planned visit to Washington because of the violence. | |
An Israeli official did not comment on what the cabinet had decided about further retaliation, the Associated Press news agency 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. |