THE militant Islamic Jihad group in Gaza fired more than a dozen rockets at southern Israel early yesterday after Israeli undercover forces killed one of its West Bank leaders.

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas today called for Israel to return to the negotiating table during a speech marking the anniversary of what the Palestinians consider to be the “catastrophe” of Israel’s creation.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon opened his eyes twice yesterday after family members played a tape of his grandson’s voice, aides said, raising hopes the 77-year-old stroke victim may be emerging from a coma.

CAMPAIGNING began yesterday for a Palestinian legislative election clouded by speculation that President Mahmoud Abbas, mired in conflict with Israel and facing a challenge from rival Islamists, could delay voting.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said yesterday that it was now the turn of the Palestinians to prove they want peace following Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

ISRAEL plans to build 3,500 new homes for Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank to cement its hold on Jerusalem, government sources said yesterday, drawing Palestinian warnings that peace efforts were at risk.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has approved the final route of a barrier around Jerusalem that will include the largest Jewish West Bank settlement, officials said yesterday.

The United States is handling the case of two Arab residents of Jerusalem who were kidnapped by Iraqi insurgents, Israeli officials said in Jerusalem.

PALESTINIAN Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas said he was convinced he could reach a truce with Hamas by next week, when he is due to join Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and US President George W Bush in a three-way summit in Jordan.

Israel TV has reported that at least seven people were killed and 35 injured in a blast bomb at Jerusalem University today.

An explosion rocked a cafeteria at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University during lunchtime today, causing at least 30 casualties, police say.