Hamas claim responsibility for family shooting

A Palestinian gunman broke into an Israeli settlement early today, killing an Israeli man and wounding his 12-year-old daughter in their home, the army said.

The Lebanese TV station Al Manar reported that Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack on the Avnei Hefetz settlement near the Palestinian town of Tulkarem.

Palestinian gunmen have repeatedly targeted isolated settlements, particularly during the Jewish Sabbath when more residents are at home.

The Israeli military said that since the outbreak of fighting in September 2000, 25 settlements have been attacked during the Sabbath and holidays, with 41 Israelis killed and more than 60 hurt.

In today's attack, the gunman broke into a home and opened fire, slightly injuring a 12-year-old girl, the army said. When the girl's father emerged, armed with a pistol, the attacker shot him dead.

Troops searching the settlement found the gunman and killed him, the army said.

Also today, the Israeli military arrested 23 wanted Palestinians in a large-scale arrest raid in the West Bank city of Nablus. Witnesses said more than 70 jeeps drove into the city before dawn, and that soldiers ordered people out of homes during the raid.

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, meanwhile, brushed aside Israeli threats to kill him. "For me, I don't care," he said in his halting English. "I care only for my people."

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in interviews published yesterday that Arafat and Lebanese guerrilla chief Hassan Nasrallah are not immune, when asked whether Israel would try to kill them.

It was not immediately clear if Sharon's remarks meant he would no longer honour assurances to US officials that Israel would not harm Arafat.

Speaking to reporters in Washington, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said: "Our position on such questions - the exile or assassination of Yasser Arafat - is very well known. We are opposed and we have made that very clear to the government of Israel."

Sharon has repeatedly accused Arafat of involvement in attacks on Israelis, saying he encourages and finances militants. In September, Israel's Cabinet decided that Arafat should be "removed" - an intentionally vague statement that could mean he would be expelled or killed.

Israel has kept Arafat confined to his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah for more than two years.