Palestinian security chief promises action on violence

The top Palestinian security commander promised swift action to stop violence against Israel today after a suicide bombing in Gaza disrupted fledgling efforts by Mahmoud Abbas to coax militants into halting their attacks.

News elected Palestinian President Abbas, who is under tremendous pressure by Israel to take action, is holding truce talks with Islamic militants in Gaza. However, the Hamas suicide bombing, which killed an Israeli security agent and wounded eight last night, clouded his prospects.

Abbas huddled with his security advisers and commanders in an emergency meeting after the bombing and later held talks with leaders of the two Islamic groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Lieutenant General Abdel Razek Majaide, the top Palestinian commander in Gaza and the West Bank, said his forces would soon be deployed near the border with Israel.

“Preparations are under way to deploy Palestinian national security soldiers along the borders to stop any sort of violations,” he said. Palestinian militants near the Gaza-Israel border frequently launch rockets into southern Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said his patience is running thin.

While granting Abbas some leeway, Israel is demanding that he put a stop to Palestinian violence, and has threatened a large-scale raid into Gaza if he fails.

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Kadoura Fares said he believed an agreement could be reached soon.

“There is no choice but to reach an internal Palestinian agreement and reach an agreement with Israel on a full and comprehensive ceasefire,” he said. ”When there is good will, I think this can happen within two weeks.”

A 21-year-old Palestinian suicide bomber detonated his device last night after being stopped by Israeli security forces at a Gaza crossing. He was taken to an inspection room where he detonated a bomb hidden in his underwear, killing a Shin Bet secret service agent.

The military said eight Israelis were wounded – five soldiers and three Shin Bet agents.

Terror group Hamas claimed responsibility in a message sent to The Associated Press.

Violence continued today, as Palestinians fired a mortar shell at a Jewish settlement in the southern Gaza Strip. The army said there were no injuries.

Sharon aide David Baker said Tuesday’s bombing showed that ”Palestinian terror is increasing.”

He said Israel has shown restraint, but “no country in the world would allow its citizens to be bombed on a daily basis”.

In the West Bank, Israeli troops carried out their largest operation in weeks, sending at least four tanks and dozens of military vehicles into Nablus. Troops arrested 13 wanted members of Hamas, witnesses and the army said.