Israeli troops shot dead three Palestinians today, including a Hamas member and a 12-year-old boy, drawing vows from militant groups to defy President Yasser Arafat's demand for a halt to armed attacks on Israelis.
Israel and the US demanded action, not words, from Mr Arafat, whose job clamping down on militants appeared to get harder as Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) vowed to continue attacks against Israel.
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The brother (C) of slain Palestinian policeman weeps in the hospital in the West Bank city. Photograph: Reuters
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In Washington, White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer said that US President George W. Bush would judge the Palestinian leader based on whether his words turn into concrete acts .
"Action has now to be taken. We have to see action," US Secretary of State Gen Colin Powell said.
In his first comments since Mr Arafat's speech to the Palestinian people last night, Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon said: "We are fed up with all these declarations, promises. Words have nothing to do here -only deeds."
Hamas, which has spearhead a suicide bombing campaign against Israel, issued a statement saying it would not heed Mr Arafat's call to end attacks against the Jewish state which it said was an unjust formula that can't be accepted .
The PFLP's military wing said it would continue armed resistance. "Operations will continue as long as the occupation exists", the group said in a separate statement.
Mr Arafat, pressured by Israel and the US to crack down on militants after a wave of suicide bombings, has outlawed the military wings of Hamas, the PFLP and other militant groups.
In a symbolic blow to Palestinian aspirations in Arab East Jerusalem, Israeli police briefly detained the Palestine Liberation Organisation's top official in the city when he tried to hold a reception for foreign diplomats.