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Rice pushes Mid-East peace summit Rice pushes Mid-East peace summit
(about 3 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to hold fresh talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on convening a Middle East peace conference. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is holding fresh talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders on convening a Middle East peace conference.
Ms Rice will meet Israel's president, followed by talks with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas. Ms Rice is in Ramallah for talks with Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas after meeting Israel's president.
It comes a day after Israel declared Gaza a hostile entity - a move that could lead to the suspension of fuel and electricity supplies to the area. They come a day after Israel declared Gaza a hostile entity - a move that could lead to the suspension of fuel and electricity supplies to the area.
Mr Abbas and UN chief Ban Ki-moon have criticised the move.Mr Abbas and UN chief Ban Ki-moon have criticised the move.
This oppressive decision will only strengthen the choking embargo imposed on 1.5m people in the Gaza Strip and deepen their tragedy PA President AbbasThis oppressive decision will only strengthen the choking embargo imposed on 1.5m people in the Gaza Strip and deepen their tragedy PA President Abbas
The discussions are expected to focus on the agenda for the summit, which is planned for November, and is aimed at kick-starting stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The discussions are expected to focus on the summit, which is planned for November, as it is not clear what the agenda will be or who will attend.
President Abbas will be wanting assurances from Ms Rice that any peace conference will produce real results on the big issues of the conflict, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah. Unless there is the prospect of real substance, the US will find it hard to get Arab states who have no diplomatic relations with Israel - Saudi Arabia in particular - to attend, says the BBC's Middle East analyst Roger Hardy.
Israel has so far resisted issuing a timetable of steps that would eventually lead to a Palestinian state. Mr Abbas wants a conference that will set out the framework for an agreement, including a timetable leading to the creation of a Palestinian state, our correspondent says.
Israel has so far resisted such a move.
Mr Abbas is afraid that to attend a weak or inconclusive conference would play into the hands of his critics in the Islamist movement Hamas, who are already confidently predicting the conference will be a waste of time, our correspondent says.
'Choking embargo''Choking embargo'
The timing of the secretary of state's visit could make talks uncomfortable, our correspondent adds. Ms Rice's trip has been overshadowed by Israel's decision to declare Gaza a hostile entity.
Ms Rice defended Israel's decision on Wednesday, but made a distinction between civilians in the Gaza Strip and the militant group Hamas, which seized control of the territory in June. On Wednesday, Ms Rice defended Israel's move, 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, condemned 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." Mr Ban 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 Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the decision did not breach international law and would not affect the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.But Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said 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.
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.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.
Under international law, Israel remains legally responsible for the coastal strip, despite withdrawing two years ago, as it still controls Gaza's borders, air-space 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, air-space and territorial waters.