Israeli forces carried out an incursion into Palestinian-controlled territory in the Gaza Strip today, entering some 500 meters into the village of Beit Lahiya, Palestinian security sources said.
Earlier Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said in an interview published on today that Israel should evacuate some Jewish settlements and conduct peace talks with the Palestinians even as violence rages.
Mr Peres, whose views differ sharply from his coalition partner Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, struck a conciliatory tone toward the Palestinians before a weekend trip to Spain where he was expected to meet Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Asked whether settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip should be evacuated, he told Maarivnewspaper: "Yes, and I would not be doing the Palestinians a favour. There are several settlements which are drawing fire and have no future.
Mr Sharon announced at a news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday that he was forming a negotiating team with Mr Peres for peace talks once the bloodshed that has persisted for 13 months comes to an end.
While no breakthrough was achieved, Israeli commentators said that Mr Sharon wanted to resume the withdrawal of forces from re-occupied Palestinian areas early next week if the Palestinians pledged to maintain calm.
Mr Sharon, under US pressure to remove troops from in and around five West Bank cities, was believed to be laying the groundwork for a trip to the United States next week.
Washington wants to calm the conflict to help bolster Arab support for a Western military campaign against Afghanistan.
Israeli commentators said the right-wing prime minister was taking pains to present himself as committed to peace before talks with US President George W. Bush.
AFP,