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Israel kills two Palestinian militants as truce ends
 Israeli artillery fire has killed two Palestinian militants in Gaza after rocket attacks were launched from the area, Palestinian security sources say, as a truce declared by militant groups drew to a close. The killings of the men marked the first such casualties since the Israeli army imposed a "no-go" zone in the area, using air strikes and artillery fire to target Gaza militants to try to curb rocket attacks. The violence came after Palestinian militants repeated their threat to abandon a de facto truce at the start of 2006, marking a further challenge to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of a crucial Palestinian election.
| How is it a "de facto truce" when they're blowing rockets the Israelis' way? |
A statement dated January 1 by Hamas, which is sworn to destroying Israel and has led a suicide bombing campaign since the start of a 2000 uprising, said Israel would "pay the price for its crimes committed against our people in northern Gaza". Israel has demanded that Mr Abbas disarm gunmen as a condition to renewing a "road map" peace plan.
| Mahmoud can't do that. They'd kill him. |
Mr Abbas had vowed to impose law and order, following the kidnapping of three Britons and a surge of internal Palestinian unrest.
| I vow to be slender and svelt and limber, too... |
"It is time to impose the authority of law and order," Mr Abbas said in a new year message broadcast on Palestinian television. "These events ... harm our international credibility and strengthen Israel's pretext to undermine peace and stop withdrawals."
| It's not a pretext when you're living in genuine anarchy, Mahmoud... |
Posted by: Fred 2006-01-01 |
