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Sharon vows offensive after bombing
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-27 22:11

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed an open-ended offensive against Palestinian militants and Israeli aircraft struck the Gaza Strip on Thursday, a day after a suicide bomber killed five Israelis.


A general view of the scene following an explosion in the northern Israeli city of Hadera October 26, 2005. [Reuters]

The bombing on Wednesday in the coastal city of Hadera dealt a serious blow to an eight-month-old truce and international hopes for a revival of peacemaking after Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip last month.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a phone call to do more to rein in militants, and Sharon ruled out talks with Abbas until he took "serious action" against armed groups.

Sharon said there could be no advance toward peace for now because of the "absolute failure of the Palestinian Authority in the fight against terrorism," and promised to launch a major military operation expected to focus on the occupied West Bank.

"Our action will be broad and will not stop until it brings about a cessation of terrorism," Sharon said ahead of a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Tel Aviv.

Sharon had agreed to an offensive in the northern West Bank against Islamic Jihad, which claimed responsibility for the bombing to avenge the killing of a top commander on Monday.

In a possible prelude to a broader military campaign, an Israeli armored force swept into Jenin in the West Bank and arrested a local Islamic Jihad leader before pulling out, Palestinian security sources said.

No timetable was given for the West Bank offensive amid the worst flare-up of violence since Israel left Gaza on September 12 after 38 years of occupation. Aircraft launched six missile strikes on the Gaza Strip that Israel said were to stop rocket fire from the territory. There were no casualties.

Troops arrested the 20-year-old bomber's father in the northern West Bank on Thursday. Another nine suspected Islamic militants were also held.
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