Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas stepped in directly today in an attempt to stop bloody clashes between his Fatah and the Islamic Hamas that threatens to engulf his people in civil war and provoke a harsh Israeli response.

Israeli soldiers have killed a Palestinian militant in a clash along the Gaza-Israel border, the Israeli army and a Palestinian militant group said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signalled he is giving up on forming a moderate government to replace the one headed by the militant Islamic Hamas, a decision that could spark violence or new elections – or both.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared today that months of coalition talks with the ruling Hamas have hit a “dead end” and his aides said he’s finished negotiating with the Islamic militants.

Three Palestinian militants were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza-Israel border fence after nightfall this evening, military sources said.

Israeli aircraft fired at two Palestinians laying a bomb near the Gaza-Israel border fence today, the army said.

A 45-year-old Palestinian was killed in unclear circumstances this morning, and the Palestinian Interior Ministry opened an investigation into the death.

ISRAELI Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz yesterday recommended delaying Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the strongest indication yet that the summer pullout will be pushed back as Israel tries to prepare for the operation.