Helicopter attack only a start, warns Israel

Israel is warning its response to a wave of Palestinian bombings is only the start of a campaign against militants.

New leader Ariel Sharon has ordered attacks on Palestinian police installations in the West Bank and Gaza.

Two Palestinians were killed and dozens injured when Israeli helicopters targeted buildings used by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's elite Force 17 guard.

Mr Sharon said Mr Arafat was responsible for a wave of attacks including suicide bombings and that Force 17 was directly involved.

In Ramallah, a Force 17 officer and a civilian woman died in the Israeli helicopter attack. In Gaza, dozens were injured, two critically.

The Israeli military said its gunners were aiming at three Force 17 installations and an armoured vehicle in Gaza.

"This is the beginning," said Issam Abu-Hassanein, 30, a taxi driver, picking through the rubble of a building in Gaza City, not far from Mr Arafat's residence and headquarters. "God only knows what Sharon is going to bring us in the future."

Women and children screamed as they fled from nearby buildings before the low-flying helicopters. The smell of gunpowder hung in the air after the assault.

Israel's leaders said they would mount a concerted campaign to discourage Mr Arafat from continuing to use violence.

A statement issued by Mr Sharon's office after the rocket attacks said his government would take "constant and consistent action against the terrorists, those who aid them and those who send them" .