Israeli security forces clashed early today with Jewish settlers trying to break a blockade placed on Gaza Strip settlements, a preview to confrontations expected later in the day when opponents to a planned withdrawal from Gaza try to march to the coastal area despite a police ban.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has turned up the pressure on Israel to stop expanding West Bank settlements, it was revealed today.

Israeli security forces have foiled an attack that may have targeted the Jerusalem offices of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

ISRAELI security forces were placed on high alert in readiness for revenge attacks from Hamas as another member of the radical Islamic group was killed, the day after the death of 15 Palestinians in Gaza.

ISRAELI security forces arrested 16 suspected Palestinian militants yesterday ahead of a fresh round of talks aimed at securing an Israeli troop withdrawal from some Palestinian areas.

ISRAELI forces killed two Palestinian militants yesterday, including one wanted for plotting a suicide bombing, as they were returning to their hiding place in a West Bank cave.

The death toll in the suicide bombing in Jerusalem has risen to 13 - including six children.