2 Israeli Soldiers Killed by Palestinian

A Palestinian gunman, his rifle wrapped in a prayer mat, walked to a West Bank checkpoint and killed two Israeli soldiers at close range Tuesday, just a day after both sides hinted at progress toward a truce and a quick Israel-Palestinian summit.

In the Gaza Strip, troops raided a refugee camp, setting off a gun battle that wounded nine Palestinians, one critically.

It was not clear whether the renewed fighting would jeopardize Egyptian-led truce efforts. Egypt proposes that Israel halt all military operations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and that Palestinian militant groups stop attacks on Israelis.

In the past, Israel has rejected such proposals, saying it would only stop military strikes if Palestinian security forces crack down on armed groups. However, the Egyptian mediator, intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, said Monday he has received positive signals from Israeli officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he would meet his Palestinian counterpart, Ahmed Qureia, “in the coming days.” It would be their first summit meeting since Qureia, widely known as Abu Ala, took office more than a month ago.

Qureia said no date has been set and reiterated Tuesday that such a meeting would have to be well-prepared.

The prime minister declined comment on Tuesday’s shooting, in which a Palestinian attacker, his rifle wrapped in a prayer mat, walked toward a West Bank checkpoint and opened fire from a distance of several meters at soldiers.

The gunman killed one soldier and critically wounded a second who died en route to the hospital. Others soldiers fired at the assailant who sped away in a get-away car, security officials said. There was no claim of responsibility.

Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid said a truce would only work if the Palestinian security forces are serious about stopping such attacks.

“We want to give Abu Ala credit if he is honest about stopping attacks,” Lapid told Israel Army Radio. “What happened this morning places doubt on this honesty … Right now it looks like talks about a cease-fire are premature.”

Sufian Abu Zaideh, a Palestinian Authority official, said the Palestinians are working hard for a truce.

“We are striving for a situation in which there won’t be attacks and there won’t be occupation, there won’t be Israeli pain and there won’t be Palestinian pain,” he told the radio.

Tuesday’s shooting was the first deadly attack on Israelis since Oct. 24 when Palestinians killed three soldiers guarding a Gaza settlement. During the same period, 25 Palestinians were killed by troops, including armed men, but also eight minors.

Israel had pulled troops out of the town of Bethlehem and nearby Palestinian villages south of Jerusalem in July as part of a previous ceasefire agreement. It was not immediately clear if troops would now re-enter those area.

In Gaza, 25 Israeli tanks drove into the Rafah refugee camp before dawn, firing as they advanced and drawing return fire from local gunmen, said a resident, Ahmed Abu Gezer. Troops demolished two houses, including one belonging to a man whose 14-year-old son was killed by army fire 10 days ago, residents said.

Soldiers also took over several houses, set up rooftop sniper positions and searched the area with dogs, residents said. Loud explosions were heard, and the army said five explosives were thrown at soldiers who returned fire.

The army did not say what the aim of the raid was. However, Rafah has been targeted repeatedly, with troops searching for weapons smuggling tunnels.

Hospital officials said nine people were wounded, including one who was in critical condition with a bullet to the head.

Truce efforts intensified Monday, with a visit by Suleiman, the Egyptian mediator. An aide to Suleiman was to meet with leaders of the militant groups in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. Qureia may hold separate talks with the faction chiefs in Gaza on the same day, Palestinian officials said.

Next week, leaders of the militant groups are to attend truce talks in Cairo. Suleiman told Palestinian leaders he found Israeli officials to be receptive to his proposals, said Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath.

“He (Suleiman) did say that there is an opportunity that must be taken advantage of. There is a positive atmosphere and a new language,” Shaath said. “He told us that he is optimistic.”

However, an Israeli official denied a report Tuesday in the Yediot Ahronot daily that the military has already suspended targeted killings of Palestinian militants, a practice that has sparked revenge attacks in the past.

Qureia has said he wants to work out the terms of a truce before meeting with Sharon. The Israeli leader met with Qureia’s predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, four times, but Palestinians complained that there were few concrete results.

The Palestinians also demand that Israel remove roadblocks and other restrictions that have crippled Palestinian life during the conflict. Israel says the barriers are necessary to keep attackers away.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat, the chief negotiator with Israel, said no date has been set for a summit. “This meeting needs to be well prepared,” he said, “but we are not against meeting with Sharon.”

In Rome, Sharon adviser Raanan Gissin said the meeting could possibly come next week, although nothing had yet been arranged. “There’s no problem on our part,” he said. “The other side asked for some time.”