Two Israelis killed in shootings in the West Bank

Two Israeli motorists have been killed in separate attacks by Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank.

Two Israeli motorists have been killed in separate attacks by Palestinian gunmen in the West Bank.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said an official cooling-off period to precede peace talks with the Palestinians would not start until such attacks end.

Palestinians fired at a car near the settlement of Einav. The driver died later in hospital. Earlier, an Israeli driver was shot and killed near Nablus.

In Gaza, a 16-year-old Palestinian wounded in a Sunday clash died in a Khan Younis hospital, doctors said.

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Despite the shooting and other violence, Israeli and Palestinian security chiefs were meeting in efforts to preserve a US-sponsored ceasefire plan.

Israeli officials said they would complain about dozens of Palestinian attacks since the ceasefire went into effect on Wednesday.

In Amman, Jordan, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat accused Israel of breaking all its international commitments and violating the ceasefire deal. Mr Arafat said Israeli forces continued to demolish houses, attack Palestinian areas and maintain blockades of Gaza and West Bank territories.

The plan negotiated last week by CIA director Mr George Tenet calls for an immediate end to violence. Israeli forces are to pull back from the edges of Palestinian areas and end travel bans. Israel has taken some steps, but the Palestinians say most roadblocks and restrictions are still in effect.

In Gaza today, Israeli soldiers withdrew from two Palestinian buildings they seized at the sensitive Netzarim junction eight months ago, Palestinian security officials said.

Though he was critical of the Palestinians, Mr Sharon fended off calls from his own nationalist camp to hit back militarily for the attacks.

PA