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Israeli troops arrest Palestinian Minister

Truce not being considered, says Hamas

GAZA CITY (Gaza Strip): Israel fired missiles at five Hamas targets minutes apart on Saturday, killing five persons and wounding five, just hours after Gaza militants floated the idea of halting rocket fire on Israeli border towns if Israel ends its 10-day-old air campaign.

After the attacks, Hamas said a truce was no longer being considered.

In all, Israeli aircraft launched 11 missile strikes on Saturday. Before dawn, they struck near the house of Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas in a Gaza refugee camp, while troops in the West Bank arrested a Hamas Cabinet Minister.

Offensive

Israel's offensive is aimed at halting Hamas rocket fire from Gaza at Israeli border towns.

Since last week, dozens of targeted missile strikes have killed nearly 50 Palestinians and damaged many Hamas installations. Israel said some 225 rockets have landed in Israeli towns since May 15, killing one woman and sending thousands of frightened Israeli residents fleeing. One rocket landed in Israel on Saturday.

Moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has tried in recent days to revive a truce with Israel. Under his plan, Gaza militants would halt rocket fire for a month to allow for negotiations on a more comprehensive cease-fire that would include the West Bank.

After a meeting late on Friday, the militant groups initially asked for 48 hours to respond to the proposal. Mr. Abbas has been in talks with them since Tuesday.

However, Hamas hardened its stance after Saturday's rash of air attacks, including five in less than an hour, calling on militants to ``direct painful strikes at the Zionist enemy.'' In a statement, the group said it ``will not offer a free truce to the Zionist occupation.''

Key base

One of the attacks hit a key Hamas base in Gaza City, killing five Hamas members and wounding four.

The compound was used as a training centre and base for Hamas' militia, the Executive Force. Two rooms in the camp were destroyed and rescue workers searched the rubble.

A nearby charity was badly damaged from the strike. Hamas gunmen shot in the air to disperse a crowd of onlookers.

Another strike in the southern Gaza town of Rafah injured one person. — AP

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