This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7273686.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Abbas breaks contact with Israel Abbas breaks contact with Israel
(40 minutes later)
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has suspended contact with Israel in protest at an assault on Gaza which has killed about 100 people, an aide says.Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has suspended contact with Israel in protest at an assault on Gaza which has killed about 100 people, an aide says.
The suspension came amid angry demonstrations in Gaza and clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank.The suspension came amid angry demonstrations in Gaza and clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank.
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert vowed to carry on the assault, which came in response to militant rocket attacks on Israel.Israeli PM Ehud Olmert vowed to carry on the assault, which came in response to militant rocket attacks on Israel.
The assault intensified on Saturday, when nearly 70 people were killed in one of Gaza's bloodiest days in years. The violence intensified on Saturday, when nearly 70 people were killed in one of Gaza's bloodiest days in years.
The negotiations are suspended, because in light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning Mahmoud Abbas In pictures: Gaza violence
Local doctors said that at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children.Local doctors said that at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children.
Another five people were killed overnight in Gaza. At least another five people were killed overnight in Gaza.
The violence has drawn international calls for restraint, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging both sides to halt the violence. The negotiations are suspended, because in light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning Mahmoud Abbas class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7272386.stm">In pictures: Gaza violence Egypt said it had opened its border crossing with Gaza and was letting critically injured Palestinian across to get medical attention.
But Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said his country needed to prepare for an escalation of its military operations in Gaza. Reports say at least 100 people will be allowed in.
'No meaning' The fighting has drawn international calls for restraint, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urging both sides to halt the violence.
Mr Abbas's spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, said it was Israel's fault the talks had been broken off. But Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said his country needed to prepare for an escalation of its air and ground operations in Gaza.
"The negotiations are suspended, as are all contacts on all levels, because in light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning," he said. 'Pointless' talks
A spokesman for Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Arye Mekel, told Reuters news agency the Palestinian decision was a mistake, and expressed the hope that talks would resume. Rocket attacks on Israel have continued despite the assault on Gaza.
Uri Bar Lev, police chief in southern Israel, told the BBC that the border town of Sderot had been targeted by 15 rockets so far on Sunday, and that 10 people had been injured.
He added that about 50 rockets were falling on the town each day. One Israeli died in an attack earlier this week.
Mr Abbas' spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, blamed Israel for the suspension of talks on all levels.
"In light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning," he said.
A spokesman for Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Arye Mekel, told Reuters news agency the Palestinian decision was a mistake, and expressed the hope negotiations would resume.
West Bank clashes
Mr Abbas restarted the talks after a conference in November in the US city of Annapolis.Mr Abbas restarted the talks after a conference in November in the US city of Annapolis.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to visit the region in a few days.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to visit the region in a few days.
West Bank clashes
Violence continued on Sunday, with Israeli planes attacking the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City.Violence continued on Sunday, with Israeli planes attacking the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City.
The offices were destroyed and five people killed.The offices were destroyed and five people killed.
Sporadic gunfire is continuing around Gaza, as funerals are held across the territory.Sporadic gunfire is continuing around Gaza, as funerals are held across the territory.
There were also clashes in the West Bank. There have also been clashes in the West Bank.
One Palestinian was killed in Hebron as troops responded to stone-throwing youths with rubber bullets and tear gas. A Palestinian teenager was killed in Hebron as troops responded to stone-throwing youths with rubber bullets and tear gas.
Other protests were held in Nablus, Ramallah and Bethlehem, AFP news agency reported.Other protests were held in Nablus, Ramallah and Bethlehem, AFP news agency reported.