Israel warned to stay out of Palestinian territory

A Palestinian official today threatened attacks inside Israel if the Israeli army enters areas under Palestinian self-rule.

A Palestinian official today threatened attacks inside Israel if the Israeli army enters areas under Palestinian self-rule.

"Every point in Israel will become a legitimate target for our fighters if Israel attacks our cities," Mr Ahmed Helis, secretary general of Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat's Fatah faction, said in a speech in Gaza City.

General Abdelrazek al-Majaida, the head of Palestinian public security for the Gaza Strip, accused the Israeli army "of preparing to launch a major offensive against the Palestinian territories".

He warned the army against any move "to enter the Palestinian territories."

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The remarks came a day after Israeli helicopters pounded bases of Mr Arafat's Force-17 protection unit in response to anti-Israeli bombings.

Last night Israel attacked Palestinian targets in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and signalled more attacks were on the way.

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We shall decide upon the time, place and certainly the means by which we will strike at terrorists and those responsible for terrorism
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Israeli army spokesman Mr Ron Kitry

Palestinians have denounced the air strikes as "state terrorism" and said Israel had destroyed chances of peace.

Two Palestinians died and dozens were injured in last night's attack.

This morning Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian teenager in the Gaza Strip during a clash with protesters who hurled stones and firebombs.

Another four boys were injured, hospital sources said.

A senior political source, speaking after Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon's security cabinet met to decide on the raids, said a decision was taken for the carrying out of more attacks in the coming days.

Israel said the strikes were punishment for the spate of bomb attacks and vowed to hit militants whenever necessary.

It also criticised resolutions agreed yesterday at the Arab summit convened largely to back a Palestinian uprising, calling the session's final communiqué an "obstacle to peace".