A Palestinian attack on Israelisat a border crossing has added to the pressures Mahmoud Abbas willface in his new job. The attack came two days before the swearing-inceremony for the next president of the Palestinian Authority.
A truck bomb exploded Thursday at the Karni crossing betweenIsrael and Gaza. Then gunmen killed six Israeli civilians andseriously wounded five others. Three groups took responsibility:Hamas, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Popular ResistanceCommittees.
Later, Israeli helicopters raided a target in Gaza linked tomilitants. Goods enter Gaza through the Karni crossing. After themilitant attack, Israel closed all border crossings with Gaza.
On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered that allcommunication with the Palestinian Authority be cut. He saidcommunications would stop until the new Palestinian Presidentcontrols militants and halts attacks. The announcement came hoursbefore Mahmoud Abbas was to be sworn-in.
Yasser Arafat was Palestinian Authority president until his deathin November. Israel and the United States had refused to negotiatewith him as attacks against Israel continued.
The peace plan known as the road map calls for Israel and thePalestinians to take steps toward an independent Palestine. The planis meant to end more than four years of most recent violence.
World leaders say the election Sunday of Mister Abbas offers newpossibilities for peace. He received sixty-two percent of the vote.He defeated independent candidate Mustafa Barghouti and five others.
The Israeli Prime Minister congratulated Mister Abbas. Both sidesexpressed support for a meeting, but did not set a date. PresidentBush said he would welcome the new Palestinian leader to Washingtonif he wants to come.
Israeli lawmakers this week narrowly approved a new government.Most cabinet members support the plan by Israel to withdraw fromGaza and part of the West Bank this year.
Mister Abbas has said attacks against Israel make life harder forPalestinians. He also says he would not use force against militants,but would try to negotiate a truce.
A Hamas official told the Associated Press that Egypt has reneweda proposal for a one-year suspension of attacks. Hamas boycotted thepresidential election, but may join legislative elections in July.
After the Karni attack, Reuters news agency reported that severalthousand marchers celebrated in the Jabalya refugee camp in Gaza.
But the head of a Palestinian research group says the majority ofpeople, especially in Gaza, support Mister Abbas. Mahdi Abdel Hadisays the people are tired of violence. In his words, "They arelooking for this small window of fresh air and warm sun to comethrough the Palestinian election."
In the News in VOA Special English was written by Jerilyn Watson.I'm Steve Ember.