Tattered truce: Sharon vows no restraint in militant crackdown

PRIME MINISTER Ariel Sharon issued his sternest warning yet to Palestinian militants yesterday, promising no restraint in stopping an upsurge in violence that has left a Mideast truce in tatters ahead of Israel’s Gaza Strip pullout.

Thousands of Israeli troops massed along the Gaza border and Israel Radio reported that Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz told Mr Sharon’s ministers that preparations for a possible ground strike were complete.

Militants vowed to retaliate against any Israeli military assault.