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US envoy to meet Palestinian head US envoy to meet Palestinian head
(about 4 hours later)
George Mitchell, Barack Obama's new envoy to the Middle East, is to hold talks with Palestinian leaders amid continuing violence in the Gaza Strip.George Mitchell, Barack Obama's new envoy to the Middle East, is to hold talks with Palestinian leaders amid continuing violence in the Gaza Strip.
He is due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but not officials from Hamas, which controls Gaza.He is due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, but not officials from Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Earlier, he met Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and said it was vital to extend the ceasefires declared last week after Israel's 22-day offensive.Earlier, he met Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and said it was vital to extend the ceasefires declared last week after Israel's 22-day offensive.
Mr Mitchell has already visited Cairo and Jerusalem during a week-long tour.Mr Mitchell has already visited Cairo and Jerusalem during a week-long tour.
Mr Mitchell has said his visit, which comes less than a week into a new US presidency, showed the American commitment to peace, but shortly after he arrived Gaza militants fired a rocket into Israel and Israeli jets pounded a metal factory in southern Gaza.Mr Mitchell has said his visit, which comes less than a week into a new US presidency, showed the American commitment to peace, but shortly after he arrived Gaza militants fired a rocket into Israel and Israeli jets pounded a metal factory in southern Gaza.
The US envoy has stressed Washington's commitment to pursuing a two-state solution in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.The US envoy has stressed Washington's commitment to pursuing a two-state solution in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
But Palestinians are impatient to see talk translated into action after so many years of negotiations, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem.But Palestinians are impatient to see talk translated into action after so many years of negotiations, says the BBC's Bethany Bell in Jerusalem.
They want to see the building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank halted, and an end to Israeli incursions in Gaza.They want to see the building of Israeli settlements in the West Bank halted, and an end to Israeli incursions in Gaza.
With the deep divisions among the Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah still unresolved, and with an Israeli election looming, few in the region believe that change will come soon, our correspondent says. With the deep divisions among the Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah, still unresolved, and with an Israeli election looming, few in the region believe that change will come soon, our correspondent says.
Rocket attackRocket attack
Mr Mitchell's arrival in Israel came a day after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.Mr Mitchell's arrival in Israel came a day after Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.
US envoy George Mitchell: 'It is of critical importance that the ceasefire be extended'US envoy George Mitchell: 'It is of critical importance that the ceasefire be extended'
After his meeting with Mr Olmert, the US envoy said: "The prime minister and I discussed the critical importance to consolidate the ceasefire including a cessation of hostilities, an end to smuggling and reopening of the crossings."After his meeting with Mr Olmert, the US envoy said: "The prime minister and I discussed the critical importance to consolidate the ceasefire including a cessation of hostilities, an end to smuggling and reopening of the crossings."
Hours afterwards, a rocket was fired from Gaza into southern Israel - the first since the ceasefire 10 days ago - hitting the Eshkol region in the western Negev without causing any reported injuries or structural damage.Hours afterwards, a rocket was fired from Gaza into southern Israel - the first since the ceasefire 10 days ago - hitting the Eshkol region in the western Negev without causing any reported injuries or structural damage.
Shortly after the rocket attack, an Israeli jet pounded targets along Gaza's southern frontier with Egypt, hitting a metal factory in an area containing tunnels through which Israel says militants smuggle arms.Shortly after the rocket attack, an Israeli jet pounded targets along Gaza's southern frontier with Egypt, hitting a metal factory in an area containing tunnels through which Israel says militants smuggle arms.
The US envoy began his trip in Egypt by meeting President Hosni Mubarak, who has been mediating between Israel and Hamas.The US envoy began his trip in Egypt by meeting President Hosni Mubarak, who has been mediating between Israel and Hamas.
Mr Mitchell has not given revealed the contents of his meetings in any detail, but has emphasised Washington's priority of creating a long-term ceasefire. Mr Mitchell has not revealed the contents of his meetings in any detail, but has emphasised Washington's priority of creating a long-term ceasefire.
He has also touched on Israel's key concern, that weapons smuggling into Gaza be stopped, and underlined Hamas's demand - that Israel's crossings into Gaza be fully opened for trade as well as aid. He has also touched on Israel's key concern, that weapons smuggling into Gaza be stopped, and underlined Hamas's demand, that Israel's crossings into Gaza be fully opened for trade as well as aid.
But the situation on the ground remains tense, correspondents say, with Israeli politicians in bullish pre-election mood threatening swift reprisals for attacks on their soldiers or citizens.But the situation on the ground remains tense, correspondents say, with Israeli politicians in bullish pre-election mood threatening swift reprisals for attacks on their soldiers or citizens.
Brief incursionBrief incursion
Israel declared an end to its three-week operation in Gaza on 17 January; Hamas followed with its own suspension of hostilities a day later. Counting casualties of Gaza's warWho will rebuild Gaza?IAEA head boycotts BBCIsrael declared an end to its three-week operation in Gaza on 17 January; Hamas followed with its own suspension of hostilities a day later. Counting casualties of Gaza's warWho will rebuild Gaza?IAEA head boycotts BBC
On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Israeli launched air strikes on southern Gaza and briefly sent in troops backed by tanks after a bomb attack on one of its patrols killed one soldier and wounded three. On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Israel launched air strikes on southern Gaza and briefly sent in troops backed by tanks after a bomb attack on one of its patrols killed one soldier and wounded three.
The violence was the most serious since both ceasefires were announced.The violence was the most serious since both ceasefires were announced.
Israel wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming; Hamas wants an end to Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza.Israel wants a long-term ceasefire and curbs on Hamas rearming; Hamas wants an end to Israel's punishing blockade of Gaza.
More than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its land, sea and air operations against Hamas militants on 27 December, including 400 children. Fourteen Israelis have died. More than 1,300 Palestinians, including 400 children, have been killed since Israel began its land, sea and air operations against Hamas militants on 27 December. Fourteen Israelis have died.