Militants end truce after strike

HAMAS said yesterday its ceasefire was over after Israel killed one of its senior political leaders in a missile strike in retaliation for a suicide bombing of a bus that killed 20 people, including six children.

Hamas vowed revenge and, along with Islamic Jihad, formally called off a truce declared eight weeks ago.

Israeli troops also raided the West Bank towns of Nablus, Jenin and Tulkarem in search of militants. In the West Bank city Hebron, troops blew up the home of the Jerusalem bus bomber, a routine punishment intended as deterrent.