Israel Seals Off Gaza Strip; Palestinians Say 3 Were Killed
Despite a pledge to ease Palestinian hardships, Israel again sealed off the Gaza Strip today, and Palestinians said Israeli soldiers killed three people in the southern part of the territory.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel told Secretary of State Colin L. Powell on Sunday that Israel would undertake several measures intended to improve living conditions for the Palestinians. The most immediate was allowing Palestinian workers from Gaza into Israel on Sunday.

But early today, before Mr. Powell left for Egypt, Israel again closed the crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Military officials said they were acting in response to intelligence information warning of a possible attack.

Israel has frequently shut the main Gaza crossing point during the 31 months of violence to keep out Palestinian militants, but the measure has also contributed to the severe economic downturn in Palestinian areas. Before the the Palestinian uprising, or intifada, began in September 2000, about 150,000 Palestinians commuted daily from the West Bank and Gaza to work in Israel.

Also in Gaza today, the Israeli Army said its troops found two weapons-smuggling tunnels in Rafah, a town on the border with Egypt. While soldiers were operating in the area, they spotted two Palestinians attempting to plant a bomb, and shot them, the army said. Palestinians said both were killed.

Israeli troops also shot dead a Palestinian farmer outside the nearby town of Khan Yunis, Palestinians said. The army said it was checking the report.

Palestinians said they were discouraged that Mr. Powell's visit did not produce an Israeli commitment to implementing the new Middle East peace plan, known as the road map.

"The general impression among Palestinians is one of disappointment," said Ziad Abu Amr, a cabinet minister. "The hope was that both the Israelis and Palestinians would make a public declaration accepting the road map."

The Palestinians say they accept the current form of the plan, which calls for a Mideast peace agreement and a Palestinian state within three years.

But Israel says it has more than a dozen reservations about the plan, and it insists that the Palestinians stop the violence before the process can move ahead.…
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/12/international/middleeast/12CND-MIDE.html