Abbas cuts off contact with Israel after Gaza attack

by insaniac | March 2, 2008 at 08:18 am

204 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has suspended contact with Israel in protest at an assault on Gaza which has killed about 100 people, an aide says.
The suspension came amid angry demonstrations in Gaza and clashes with Israeli troops in the West Bank.

Israeli PM Ehud Olmert vowed to carry on the assault, which came in response to militant rocket attacks on Israel.

The violence intensified on Saturday, when nearly 70 people were killed in one of Gaza's bloodiest days in years.

Local doctors said at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children.

If Abbas is not in control of Gaza, does it matter that he's stepping away from the table?

The European Union, the United Nations and even the Catholic pope joined the Palestinian president on Sunday in demanding an immediate halt to the violence.

Israel says the raids are self-defence, aimed at curbing homemade rockets being fired over the border from the Hamas-controlled territory, and has threatened to intensify its ground and air campaign, despite allegations it is using excessive force.