A Palestinian civilian was killed today in armed clashes at the Jenin refugee camp on the same day as Israel's defence minister called off talks on easing Israeli military action in the Palestinian Territories.
Mohammed Amuri (34) was hit by a stray bullet in his home during clashes between the Israeli army and Palestinian gunmen that broke out as the army moved to reimpose a daytime curfew.
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Two Palestinian policemen try to fix a pole with a Palestinian flag by the rubble of their post near the Kfar Darom Jewish settlement in the Southern Gaza Strip Photograph: Reuters
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A Palestinian youth was also shot in the leg when a large crowd of youngsters chased after Israeli armoured vehicles that had entered Jenin.
Earlier today, a Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces in the centre of the Gaza Strip as he apparently approached an Israeli army position near the Gush Katif Jewish settlement.
Israeli defence minister Mr Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, postponed the meeting with Palestinian Interior Minister Mr Abdel-Razzek Yahya after what Israel called a "grave incident" overnight in which a shell hit a house also used as a kindergarten. No casualties were reported.
The talks had been aimed at pushing forward a stalled security deal covering the West Bank city of Bethlehem and the Gaza Strip.
The "Gaza-Bethlehem First" plan was regarded a stepping stone to a broader cessation of hostilities but was conditional on Palestinian security forces curbing militants' attacks on Israelis. The ministry said the meeting would be rescheduled but no date was given.
Meanwhile, the EU plans for the creation of an independent Palestinian state in 2005 will be put before the 15 foreign ministers later this week.
Danish Foreign Minister Mr Per Stig Moeller said the document - based on ideas already set out by the United States, Germany and Arab states - will prepare a common EU position for next month's meeting of the peace-broking "Quartet" in New York.