Two Palestinians were killed in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday in an exchange of fire with Israeli troops, Israel Radio reported. The Palestinians were apparently attempting to plant a bomb in the area, the radio added. Also in the Strip, two Israeli soldiers were wounded near the Erez crossing after Palestinians fired an anti-tank missile.
Meanwhile, the top Palestinian security commander on Wednesday promised swift action to stop attacks against Israel. These comments came after Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas held an emergency meeting with his security advisers and commanders following the late Tuesday bombing which killed an Israeli security agent.
Lt. Gen. Abdel Razek Majaide, the top Palestinian commander in Gaza and the West Bank, said Wednesday that Palestinian forces would soon be deployed near the border with Israel.
"Preparations are under way to deploy Palestinian national security soldiers along the borders to stop any sort of violations," Majaide said in a radio interview.
Palestinian officials said Wednesday they believed an agreement could be reached soon with the Palestinian factions to stop attacks. "I have realistic optimism that this can be done, and this can be done in a fairly short time," said Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath, according to the AP. "I think both the Palestinian and Israeli people long for security and peace and return to the peace process."
