Two Israelis dead, 9 injured in Gaza bombing

Leaders calling for restraint

The blast came at a time when Palestinian and Israeli leaders had been making statements aimed at taking the heat out of the Mideast conflict -- which has claimed more than 250 lives in recent months.

Violence continued Sunday

That gun battle that left one Israeli soldier dead and two others wounded, one critically.

The lone gunman was identified as Palestinian security officer Baha Said, a 30-year-old resident of the al-Maghazi refugee camp. The Fatah Hawks, an armed militia faction of Arafat's Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for Said's actions.

Palestinian leaders also had said they were working to implement Arafat's recent call for an end to shooting from territory under his control.

But the violence continued Sunday when two Palestinians were killed and several others injured in a series of clashes with Israeli soldiers.

Conflict claims more than 250 lives

Sunday also saw the wounding of Yoram Havivian, Israel's vice consul general to Amman. Havivan was on his way to work when gunmen fired at his car from a passing vehicle.

He was treated and released from a hospital a few hours later. Barak said the incident was severe, and that every effort should be made in conjunction with Jordan to find those responsible.

There are about 6,500 Jewish settlers living in Israeli-protected enclaves in Gaza.

Since the violence between the Palestinians and Israelis erupted September 28, at least 257 people have been killed, including 219 Palestinians, 25 Jews and 13 Israeli Arabs.