Israel fires into Gaza, Abbas urges rocket halt

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli helicopters fired into the Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing a Palestinian militant, in what residents said was the fiercest exchange between Israeli forces and militants since a November truce.

The escalation came after Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz authorised limited strikes just inside Gaza. Ministry sources said they were to prevent militants from planting explosives, digging tunnels and firing rockets at Israeli towns.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on members of his presidential guard and national security forces to step up efforts to prevent the rocket fire so "that our people can lead a safe life".

Tensions remain high in Gaza between secular Fatah and Islamist Hamas despite the formation of their unity government on March 17. Three Palestinians were wounded in clashes between Hamas and Fatah gunmen, witnesses and Hamas militants said.

Abbas said on Friday Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, abducted by Gaza militants 10 months ago in a cross-border raid, would be released soon.

Palestinian Information Minister Mustafa Barghouthi said on Saturday militants involved in the abduction had provided Israel for the first time with a list of Palestinian prisoners they want Israel to release in exchange for Shalit.

An official involved in negotiations over the soldier's release denied this, saying reports over supposed progress in the talks were "incorrect or twisted".

Israeli media quoted Israeli government sources as saying progress had been made during negotiations over Shalit's release but that a deal was "a long way away". There was no confirmation of whether Israel had received a list of Palestinian prisoners.