Israeli premier Ariel Sharon called his top ministers together today to discuss resuming peace talks with the Palestinians, a day after the military killed nine children along with a terrorist leader.

European, UN and Arab officials roundly condemned Israel’s missile strike on an apartment building housing a wanted militant leader, terming it unjustified, criminal and counterproductive.

Palestinian health officials have sent samples of tainted sweets to laboratories in Egypt, after Palestinian media claimed that Israel spread it in Gaza to harm children.