Dust-covered young men carrying hundred-pound bags of cement on their shoulders scampered over the imposing iron fencing that once separated the Gaza Strip from Egypt.

deadlier HaMas attacks threatened GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Hamas said Saturday it was shocked Arab countries have decided to attend next week's U.S.-backed Mideast peace summit and underlined its opposition with a threat to launch deadlier rocket attacks on Israel.

The Palestinians' ruling Hamas group will not join a planned coalition government if recognizing Israel is a condition, a close aide to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said Friday.