Two Palestinians have been killed by Israeli tanks which fired on a security post near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim in the central Gaza Strip this evening. The Israelis claimed that the two who were killed had been attempting to plant a bomb. Their deaths brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli tanks and troops today to twelve.
Most of the Palestinian deaths occurred as Israeli tanks moved into the Gaza Strip, which was also attacked from the sea and air. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed. The latest clashes follow a decision by Israel's Security Cabinet to step up military operations against Palestinian targets.
The US Secretary of State has strongly criticised the Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, saying that killing Palestinians did not solve the problem. Colin Powell also called on the Palestinian President, Yasser Arafat to take action to stop the tit-for-tat violence.
Earlier in Washington, President George W Bush promised to redouble efforts to end the violence in the Middle East. Speaking at a joint news conference after a meeting with President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Mr Bush said that both countries viewed the current situation with great alarm.
Although he did not respond directly to a call from Mr Mubarak for further American intervention, Mr Bush said the two countries were committed to a just solution.
