Five more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes in the Gaza Strip. There are also unconfirmed reports that a journalist working for the American network CNN was shot and injured when Israeli troops open fired. At least 152 people, all but a handful Palestinians or Israeli Arabs, have been killed in more than a month of violent clashes. The Palestinian leadership has called for United Nations involvement, following more attacks by Israeli gunships last night.
Meanwhile, the former Israeli Prime Minister, Shimon Peres, will meet the Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat, in Gaza either later today or tomorrow in an effort to end the clashes. Mr Peres has discussed his plans with the Prime Minister, Ehud Barak.
Earlier, Israeli helicopters attacked Palestinian security posts and the headquarters of a militia linked to the Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat. The Israeli army said that it was partly in response to the killings of three Israelis in recent days. They took place only hours after Mr Barak said that peace in the Middle East was still possible.
