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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says he has given his troops a free hand to launch a crackdown on Palestinian militants.

His announcement came only seven days after the election of new Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"Despite the change in Palestinian leadership, we have yet to see them taking any action against terror," Mr Sharon told his cabinet.

Six Israelis were killed in an attack on a Gaza Strip crossing on Thursday.

Israel severed contacts with the Palestinian leadership after the attack.

On Saturday eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops during incursions into Gaza.

Two Israelis, including a seven-year-old, were injured by Palestinian rockets.

"The Israeli military and security apparatus have been instructed to take any action needed without restriction," Mr Sharon said on Sunday.

"These instructions will remain valid as long as the Palestinians fail to lift even a single finger."

Cabinet members from Mr Sharon's new coalition partners, the Labour party, expressed support for Mr Sharon's tough line.

"[Mr Abbas] has clearly said that he is opposed to terrorism but now his words must be translated into action," said Interior Minister Ophir Pines.

"He must prove his determination to confront the terrorists."

Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath condemned the announcement.

"At the same time that Abu Mazen says he will work hard to return to the peace track, Sharon declares a military escalation," he said, using the Palestinian leader's nickname.

Mr Abbas used his inauguration speech on Saturday to call for a ceasefire between Israel and the militants.

Palestinian officials said Mr Abbas will visit the Gaza Strip this week in an effort to convince militant groups to stop attacks against Israeli targets.

But the BBC's correspondent in Jerusalem, James Reynolds, says Mr Sharon's latest move may complicate Mr Abbas' tactic of trying to reach a ceasefire through negotiation and persuasion.

Militant factions have indicated they will only stop attacks if Israel does the same.

Mr Sharon's comments to his cabinet suggest that that is unlikely to happen, our correspondent says.

PLO calls for end to attacks against Israel

The Palestine Liberation Organisation has called for an end to attacks against Israel. The PLO's executive committee, which endorsed the new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' appeal to stop all military attacks, said they were harmful to the Palestinian cause.

Earlier in the day, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon accused the Palestinian leader of not doing enough to end the violence. Mr Sharon also gave the army a free hand to crush Palestinian militants.

Israeli media say the army has in effect been given the green light to resume assassinating leaders of extremist organisations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. On Monday, Mr Abbas is due to hold talks with radical groups in the Gaza Strip about a possible ceasefire with Israel.

(rnw.nl)

[ 01-16-2005, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: Dreamer128 ]

Its about damn time...

<span style="color: lightblue">So we have:
Israel will cease fire when Palestine ceases fire.
Palestine will cease fire when Israeal ceases fire.

I don't see the situation changing anytime soon.

Add to the mix a minority of palestinians that will keep on fighting no matter what their elected government might say.

Mahmoud Abbas does NOT have 100% control over Palestinia and it would be naíve to think so.

<font color = lightgreen>I agree with Indemaijinj--Abbas has no control over the militant groups whatsoever. I cannot count how many times I have said that the Israel/Palestinian situation will continue its circle of violence until one side is completely destroyed.

The violence is no longer about which group is occupying the other's territory, it is only about revenge--it's personal, not political. That is why it will never stop, no matter how many talks are held.
The only reason the Israeli army hasn't launced a massive assault is because the world would disagree with them over it. They stay their hand because they don't want bad press and they might lose monetary support from various organizations.</font>