The Palestinian groups Islamic Jihad and Hamas issued a joint statement formally ending their truce following an Israeli air strike that killed a top Hamas political leader.
According to AFP, the statement blamed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for destroying the truce that the Palestinians declared unilaterally on June 29.
"We announced our initiative together on June 29 and we announce together today that Sharon is ending the ceasefire," the statement said.
The announcement came as a senior Israeli official said Friday Israel would continue to "strike terrorists without mercy," and as heavy firing broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians in Jenin after a convoy of military tanks and jeeps moved into the northern West Bank town.
"We will continue to strike terrorists without mercy, those who carry out attacks as well as those who plan them or order them," the Israeli official was quoted as saying.
He also stressed that Israel was still willing to "revive the peace process" but said that "an end to terrorism" was a precondition.
In Jenin firing broke out after at least 15 tanks and jeeps moved into the town and adjacent refugee camp on various sides, with troops firing flares as they went, Palestinian sources said. At dawn the army imposed a curfew.
Also Friday, the Israel Army blocked off main roads in the Gaza Strip to Palestinian traffic, separating it into three sections, Israeli media reported. (Albawaba.com)
