UK accuses Israel of undermining peace efforts

The UK today accused Israel of undermining Middle East peace efforts after its troops launched a night mission into the Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinians in retaliation for rocket attacks.

Britain's Foreign Office minister Kim Howells also made the same charge against Palestinian militants for firing rockets into Israel.

The latest rocket attack saw the Israelis hit back on Thursday with airstrikes and ground operations that killed nine people, including three civilians.

The Israeli operations continued today when infantrymen inside Gaza, near the Israeli border, clashed with Hamas gunmen and killed two of them, according to Hamas and Palestinian medical officials.

Mr Howells said: “The deaths and injury of a number of Palestinian civilians as a result of recent Israeli military incursions into Gaza risks undermining efforts to build confidence and give momentum to the peace process.

“So does the continuing firing of rockets by Palestinian militants into Israeli populated areas. Our thoughts are with the families of all the victims of this violence.

“The Israeli Army must exercise restraint and avoid harming civilians. Relevant parties in Gaza should do their utmost to stop rocket firing.

“We remain gravely concerned by the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and are doing what we can to alleviate the situation.”

The latest violence threatens to cast a shadow over the forthcoming visit by US President George Bush, who is expected to arrive in Jerusalem on Wednesday for his first visit since entering the White House.