MIDDLE EAST: US and European diplomats began descending on the Middle East yesterday in the latest bid to broker a ceasefire and restart the shattered peace process, but the reality on the ground remained unchanged as Israel continued daily forays into Palestinian towns and villages in a bid to capture militants.
Intensifying its West Bank raids since the renewal of suicide bombings, the army swept into the West Bank town of Hebron yesterday and arrested four men it said were on its wanted list, and then pulled out.
Palestinian residents said forces also thrust into the town of Jenin in the northern West Bank. Three days after retaking parts of Bethlehem, Israeli tanks and troops yesterday left.
In Gaza, Palestinians said 11 people were injured in clashes with Israeli forces, in the flashpoint town of Rafah in the southern part of the strip.
Since completing its invasion of the West Bank in April, the army has regularly raided West Bank towns in what it says are sweeps for militants.
After a suicide bombing in the central Israeli town of Petah Tikva on Monday, in which two people were killed, the Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, told his cabinet that the daily raids would continue, but gave no hint that a second massive offensive was imminent.
That could change if the suicide bombings intensify.
Starting the latest US bid to broker a highly elusive truce, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, Mr William Burns, yesterday met the Palestinian Authority Chairman, Mr Yasser Arafat, in Ramallah. The Palestinian leader told the US envoy that reform of his Palestinian Authority had to run concurrently with a clear timetable for progress on the diplomatic front.
Mr Burns, who reportedly told Mr Arafat that the US had yet to formulate a diplomatic blueprint, tried to send a balanced message, saying that security for Israelis would be impossible "without a sense of political hope", but that political progress was not possible "without security".
Mr Burns will be followed by CIA director Mr George Tenet, who is expected in the region over the weekend.
He has been saddled with the task of rebuilding the Palestinian security apparatus and unifying its multiple arms into a more coherent, centralised structure.
While there has been talk in recent days of the US stepping up its involvement, possibly by announcing a timetable for security and diplomatic progress, Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell, intimated yesterday that talk of a new initiative was premature.
"When ambassador Burns and director Tenet have finished their work and come back and presented their reports to the president, we'll then be in a better position to see how we go forward," he said.
Among the swarm of diplomats descending on the Middle East is the German Foreign Minister, Mr Joschka Fischer, who held talks yesterday with Mr Sharon and Mr Arafat.
EU foreign policy chief, Mr Javier Solana, is scheduled to meet Mr Arafat, as well as Israeli leaders, over the weekend, while Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's adviser, Mr Osama el-Baz, will hold talks today with Mr Sharon and Foreign Minister Mr Shimon Peres.
AFP adds: The German Foreign Minister yesterday described the situation in the Middle East as "terrible" and called for renewed political talks to tackle the 20-month crisis.
Speaking after a meeting here with Mr Arafat, Mr Fischer said: "The situation is terrible, we see the suffering of the people, we hear the moaning of the families of the innocent victims on both sides.
"This situation must be changed. Diplomacy, negotiations, and peace must have the upper hand," he said.
"The international community supports the legitimate interests of the Palestinian people," he said.
"This vision is fully backed by international diplomacy, by the so-called quartet," referring to the US, Russia, the EU and the UN.
"And of course by the Federal Republic of Germany," he added.