Israel Closes Gaza Crossings, and Pounds Hamas

Israel sought to put an end to a surge in rocket attacks from Gaza, sending its air force against a symbol of Hamas power in the heart of Gaza City and simultaneously choking off shipments of fuel and food across its border with the strip. An Israeli warplane attacked the downtown offices of the Palestinian Interior Ministry, flattening one wing of the empty building, killing a woman at a wedding party next door and wounding at least 46 other civilians, some of the children. The attack was the first on a ministry building since Hamas seized control of Gaza last June. An Israeli military commentator said it was meant to send a message to the violent Islamic group that further rocket attacks could cause the conflict to spiral.

President Bush Optimistic About Mideast Peace

On Monday, President Bush stepped cautiously into the most direct Mideast peacemaking of his administration. He met separately with the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to explore whether peace is possible. A day before the major Mideast Peace Conference, he said he was optimistic. The gathering is to launch the first direct peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians of Bush's nearly seven years in office, and has attracted Arab and other outside backing.

Irael to Cut Gaza Power Suppl

Israel's defense minister is preparing to approve cuts in the supply of electricity and fuel to Gaza to try to halt rocket attacks, according to officials. Ehud Barak is to meet with officials later today to discuss the temporary cuts, which will reportedly directly follow rocket attacks. Israel supplies 60% of the electricity for Gaza's 1.5 million in habitants. Palestinian leaders responded to the threat by accusing Israel of inflicting collective punishment.

Israel Confirms Third-party Contacts with Syria

Israel and Syria have been in contact through third parties for a while, but the mediators have been unable to get the two sides to resume peace talks. In a speech, Syrian President Bashar Assad, said a third country recently offered to serve as a mediator with Israel. The country which he did not identify has mediated in the past, but there was nothing serious and clear. In Damascus, Syrian lawmaker Mohammad Habash, said negotiations could not take place until the Israelis commit to leave the Golan Heights, a condition also posed by Assad during his speech. Israel captured the strategic plateau in the 1967 Mideast war.

Tycoon Launches New Israeli Party

A Russian Billionaire has launched a new political party in Israel with the aim of toppling Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's coalition government. Arcadi Gaydamak said his new party, Social Justice, could win as many as 20 Knesset seats in the next election. He said he would not stand for the Knesset, but would first run for the office of mayor of Jerusalem. Some 1400 activists have already begun working for the new party which will hold is first meeting on Thursday.

Militants in Lebanon

Two rockets were fired into Israel on Sunday by militants in Lebanon. They caused no casualties and litle damage which was a good thing. But it did raise the possibility of new flare-ups on the volatile border less than a year after Israel's bloody month long war against Hezbollah. The attack was geared at undermining the stability of Lebanon according to the Prime Minister. Hezbollah, of course, denied any involvement.

Irael Plans To Stop The Rockets

Israel says it will do anything it takes to stop the rockets. Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert said Sunday he authorized the army to do whatever it takes to halt Palestinian rocket fire. He did warn his Cabinet that there was no quick solution. There has been an 11 day campaign of Israeli airstrikes aimed at halting the rocket attacks from Gaza that has killed 49 Palestinians, mostly militants. Hamas said the attacks would continue as long as the Israeli airstrikes persist. Israel should have never given up the Gaza strip. They knew the Palestinians would use it to attack them.