Top commander among 20 Palestinians killed

Twenty Palestinians, including a top commander, were killed in Israeli raids before daybreak today in the West Bank and Gaza, after a Palestinian gunman infiltrated into a Jewish settlement in Gaza and killed five Israelis, one of the bloodiest days in 17 months of fighting.

The violence surged again just as US President George Bush said he was sending an envoy back to the region to try to stop ever-escalating violence.

Eighteen Palestinians died in two Israeli attacks in Gaza, including Man Gen Ahmed Marfa, deputy commander of public security, the highest-ranking Palestinian officer to be killed in a clash with Israelis.

He was one of 14 killed and 35 wounded when Israeli forces moved into Hoax village next to the central Gaza city of Khan Younis early today, Palestinians said. Palestinians said a tank shell and machine gun fire hit his car, killing Marfa and a bodyguard. The local security commander was also killed.

As news of Marfa's death spread, hundreds of gunmen converged on Nasser Hospital in Khan Youngish, firing rifles in the air and calling for revenge against Israel.

The Israeli military said troops entered the village, ‘‘a centre of activity of several terror organizations,’’ hit armed Palestinians in exchanges of fire and made arrests. Israeli troops began pulling out of the village at daybreak, residents said.

In the West Bank, Israeli tanks and troops entered Bethlehem from two directions, Palestinians said. Israeli helicopters fired at the Aida refugee camp in the town after Palestinians shot at an Israeli outpost nearby, witnesses said.

Two Palestinians were killed, Palestinians said.

‘‘I’m deeply concerned about the tragic loss of life and the escalating violence,’’ Bush said, announcing that special envoy Anthony Zinni would return to the region and work for a truce to end 17 months of conflict, hitting a peak over the past two weeks.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders welcomed the decision. ‘‘Prime Minister (Ariel) Sharon values and appreciates the work of General Zinni and the efforts he has made in halting the violence, terror and incitement,’’ a statement from Sharon’s office said.

Palestinian negotiator Saab Erect said the Bush administration had reached the conclusion that Sharon’s policies were leading to ‘‘more bloodshed and deterioration’’. He hoped Zinni would bring a ‘‘concrete plan’’ to carry out agreed-on plans for a truce and resumption of peace talks.

As Bush spoke, a Palestinian infiltrated the Jewish settlement of Atmen in southern Gaza, opening fire with an assault rifle and throwing grenades at a high school that combines religious studies and military training, the military said.

Four Israelis were killed and 20 wounded, five seriously, according to rescue service officials. One of the wounded later died in a hospital.

In a gun battle, soldiers shot and killed the attacker. ‘‘I was watching television when I heard gunfire outside very close,’’ said Elise Weiss, a mother of nine, talking by phone from the settlement to Israel Radio. She said settlers were instructed by loudspeaker to stay in their houses and keep their lights off.

The military wing of the militant Hamas claimed responsibility and said the attacker was Mohammed Far hat, 19, from Gaza City.

Just before Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at Palestinian headquarters, a complex hit hard in previous air strikes. The Israeli military said it attacked a military security building as part of its ‘‘efforts to prevent terrorism’’.

Israeli forces attacked a Palestinian police base north of Gaza City after midnight. Gunboats fired machine guns and helicopters fired three missiles at the base, witnesses said. Four people were killed, including a rescue worker in an ambulance, doctors said.

Israeli gunfire hit a police explosives storage building, setting off blasts that could be heard all over Gaza City, witnesses said. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Thirteen Palestinians were killed in Israeli operations and clashes yesterday. Israeli warplanes pounded Palestinian security buildings throughout the West Bank and Gaza, and soldiers continued a sweep through two West Bank refugee camps.

‘‘We had to get into the refugee camps, which are laboratories of terror,’’ said a brigade commander, Col Year Golan. ‘‘They should know we can reach everywhere there’s no refuge for them.’’

Nine Palestinians were killed in the fighting, including a rescue worker, Palestinians said. In New York, the United Nations said one of those shot dead was a UN aid worker in an ambulance with UN markings. The military was checking the report.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned the killing of the aid worker and called on Israel to ‘‘thoroughly investigate the incident and to take the necessary action against those responsible,’’ according to a statement.

Palestinians attempted three bombing attacks yesterday. A suicide bomber blew himself up in a hotel next to the Jewish settlement of Ariel in the West Bank, killing himself and wounding four.

The owner of a cafe and a customer foiled an attempted bombing in Jerusalem, blocking a Palestinian and overpowering him. Police said he was carrying a bomb set to go off. Also, police in the northern Israeli city of Padres Hanna safely detonated a bomb after a citizen alerted them.