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Rice pushes MidEast peace summit Rice pushes MidEast peace summit
(19 minutes later)
The US secretary of state is to hold fresh talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on a peace summit, after Israel declared Gaza "hostile". US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to hold fresh talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on convening a Middle East peace conference.
Ms Rice will hold talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres before heading to the West Bank for discussions with the Palestinian leadership. Ms Rice will meet Israel's president, followed by talks with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel said on Wednesday it would restrict fuel supplies to Gaza because of Palestinian militant rocket attacks. It comes after Israel said it would restrict fuel supplies to Gaza because of Palestinian militant rocket attacks.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas strongly criticised the move. Mr Abbas and UN chief Ban Ki-moon have criticised the move.
It prompted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to remind Israel of its obligations under international law.
Israel's declaration came as Ms Rice arrived in Jerusalem for talks aimed at paving the way for a US-sponsored Middle East peace conference planned for November.
"Additional restrictions will be imposed on the Hamas regime, limiting the transfer of goods to the Gaza Strip, cutting back fuel and electricity, and restricting the movement of people," an Israeli government statement said.
'Choking embargo''Choking embargo'
Ms Rice defended Israel's position but made a distinction between civilians in the Gaza Strip and the militant group Hamas, which seized control of the territory in June. Ms Rice defended Israel's decision but made a distinction between civilians in the Gaza Strip and the militant group Hamas, which seized control of the territory in June.
She said America "would not abandon the innocent Palestinians" of Gaza.She said America "would not abandon the innocent Palestinians" of Gaza.
Gaza's rocket threat to Israel Profile: Gaza StripGaza's rocket threat to Israel Profile: Gaza Strip
Mr Abbas, the moderate leader on whom the US has pinned hopes for peace, criticised the Israeli move. Mr Abbas, the moderate leader on whom the US has pinned hopes for peace, condemned the Israeli move.
"This oppressive decision will only strengthen the choking embargo imposed on 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, increase their suffering and deepen their tragedy," his office said in a statement."This oppressive decision will only strengthen the choking embargo imposed on 1.5 million people in the Gaza Strip, increase their suffering and deepen their tragedy," his office said in a statement.
The UN secretary general said: "Such a step would be contrary to Israel's obligations towards the civilian population [of Gaza] under international humanitarian and human rights law."The UN secretary general said: "Such a step would be contrary to Israel's obligations towards the civilian population [of Gaza] under international humanitarian and human rights law."
Hamas said Israel's statement was tantamount to a declaration of war.Hamas said Israel's statement was tantamount to a declaration of war.
But the Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, insisted the decision did not breach international law and would not affect the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.But the Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, insisted the decision did not breach international law and would not affect the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli public pressure for action has mounted since a rocket fired from Gaza hit an army base last week, injuring 69 troops.Israeli public pressure for action has mounted since a rocket fired from Gaza hit an army base last week, injuring 69 troops.
Palestinian militant groups say the rocket fire is a response to Israeli military action in Gaza and the West Bank.Palestinian militant groups say the rocket fire is a response to Israeli military action in Gaza and the West Bank.
Correspondents say that by formally declaring Gaza a "hostile entity", Israel could argue that it is no longer bound by international law governing the administration of occupied territory to supply utilities to its inhabitants.Correspondents say that by formally declaring Gaza a "hostile entity", Israel could argue that it is no longer bound by international law governing the administration of occupied territory to supply utilities to its inhabitants.
Under international law, Israel remains legally responsible for the coastal strip, despite withdrawing two years ago, as it still controls Gaza's borders, airspace and territorial waters.Under international law, Israel remains legally responsible for the coastal strip, despite withdrawing two years ago, as it still controls Gaza's borders, airspace and territorial waters.