Israel slapped tough travel restrictions on the West Bank after Palestinian gunmen killed three young Israelis and wounded four others in a drive-by shooting at a crowded bus stop near Jewish settlements.

PALESTINIAN gunmen killed three Israelis in a drive-by shooting yesterday and Israeli troops shot dead a senior Palestinian militant in an eruption of violence in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian gunmen travelling in a speeding car opened fire at a crowded bus stop in the West Bank today, killing two Israelis and wounding four others, before fleeing the scene, officials said.

Israel’s Cabinet convened today to approve a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the inclusion of two large Jewish settlements blocs on the Israeli side of the West Bank separation barrier – historic decisions likely to shape the nation’s future borders.

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon agreed to changes in the route of Israel’s West Bank barrier yesterday, but insisted on keeping key Jewish settlement blocks inside.

Israel is considering building thousands more homes in West Bank settlements, in line with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to keep large chunks of the territory while giving up the Gaza Strip, security officials said today.

Israel’s vice premier today ruled out any chance of reaching an agreement with the Palestinians, saying Israel would have to unilaterally define its borders, dismantle some settlements and withdraw from most of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and parts of east Jerusalem.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering dismantling Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip while simultaneously annexing some West Bank settlements, Israeli media reported today.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has condemned the stoning to death of two boys on the West Bank.