The Israeli army reportedly killed six Palestinians in the Gaza Strip today amid efforts to secure the return of US special envoy Mr Anthony Zinni.
Israeli security troops killed three armed Palestinian militants who attempted to enter Israel through the northern Gaza Strip today, a statement from the prime minister's office said this evening.
Earlier, the Israeli army killed another three Palestinian militants who attacked one of its armoured vehicles in the northern Gaza Strip, Israeli military sources said.
The three Palestinians opened fire with rifles at the vehicle between the Jewish settlements of Alei Sinai and Nitzanit, on the northern edge of the Gaza Strip.
The news came after Israel said US envoy Mr Zinni could return to the region as tensions had dropped.
But despite the new-found calm Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon told his cabinet there will be no political talks without a total halt to unrest.
Israeli government officials said contacts were underway to open the door for Mr Zinni's return to the region. He left two weeks ago amid raging violence that ended his mission to renew a ceasefire.
Palestinian leaders have also been trying to persuade Washington to take advantage of a rare lull in the fighting and renew its mediation efforts in the Middle East.
Hopes for a US return to the regional stage rose after a marked drop in attacks following a public appeal by Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat to halt attacks on Israel that had triggered a massive escalation in unrest this month.
Israeli Foreign Minister Mr Shimon Peres has been talking with the head of the Palestinian legislative council, Mr Ahmed Qorei, about a plan to create a fast-track Palestinian state on land under full or partial Palestinian control.
Despite criticism from the powerful right-wing of the Israeli coalition in which he is the leading dove, Mr Peres has said he will push on with his meetings with Mr Qorei in the coming days.
AFP