REBUFFING the incoming Palestinian Prime Minister, the leader of Hamas said yesterday the militant group will not disarm, agree to a truce or join the new Palestinian government.

A large-scale swap of prisoners with Lebanese guerrillas is closer than ever, Israeli premier Ariel Sharon said today.

A 15-year-old boy was killed and 14 other people wounded when Palestinian militants and Israeli forces clashed in the southern Gaza Strip, hospital officials said.