Powell, Arabs blast Israel for Gaza action

An Israeli soldier breaks up a scuffle between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in Hebron Tuesday     WEB EXCLUSIVE Brent Sadler: Israeli holding Syria accountable for Hezbollah actions

Palestinian attacks 'provocative,' says U.S. secretary of state

In this story: Occupation to last 'indefinitely' Borders closed RELATED STORIES, SITES

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell took both Palestinians and Israelis to task on Tuesday for violence in the Mideast, calling a series of Israeli raids in Gaza an "excessive" response to "provocative" Palestinian actions.

"The situation is threatening to escalate further, posing a risk of broader conflict," said Powell. (more on Powell's comments)

VIDEO CNN's Mike Hanna shows what it was like in the streets of Gaza when the attack happened Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Jerrold Kessel reports on the timing of the raid Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Brent Sadler has more on the unrest in the Mideast Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    AUDIO CNN's Jerrold Kessel: Danger of all-out confrontation 593K/55 sec. AIFF or WAV sound Arafat aide Ahmed Abdel Rahman: Aggression will not bring Israel any security. 477K/44 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    TRANSCRIPT Rula Amin: Israeli strikes on Syria    MESSAGE BOARD Share your thoughts on current events in Lebanon    ALSO Jordan official discusses peace with Israelis, Palestinians Israel-Syria strife hampers U.S. policy on Iraq

Powell's comments came in a strongly worded statement read by State Department spokesman Richard Boucher in Washington.

"The hostilities last night in Gaza were precipitated by the provocative Palestinian mortar attacks on Israel," Powell said. "The Israeli response was excessive and disproportionate."

Israeli troops used a series of air, land and sea raids to occupy an L-shaped section of northern Gaza on Tuesday, sparking loud protests from Palestinians and their Arab allies.

Israeli generals said the raids were in response to mortar attacks on Israeli towns and warned they could occupy the area "for months."

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat condemned the raids, which he said were "not just an escalation."

"They are dirty," he said. "They are intended to bring our people to their knees. Everyone should understand that our people are steadfast and will not kneel before these gangs attacking our people, villages and refugee camps."

Normally soft-spoken Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also blasted the Israelis, calling the raids and occupation "beyond the limit of what is acceptable."

"These strikes will have no effect, will lead to nothing other than more violence and bring an end to stability and the Israeli people will suffer more," he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Mubarak said, was "endangering the peace process" with these attacks and one launched on Monday against a Syrian installation in Lebanon.

At least two Palestinians were killed and at least 36 wounded, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

Since the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian violence began last September, more than 420 Palestinians have been killed, along with 71 Israeli Jews, 13 Israeli Arabs and one German.

Three Syrian soldiers were killed in Monday's attack.

Occupation to last 'indefinitely'

But Israeli officials insist that when the Palestinians stop their attacks against Israelis, so too will the Israelis end their raids and occupations.

"Once the mission is fulfilled and the shooting stops or the Palestinian Authority takes action to stop it, I believe we won't need to remain there," said Israeli Brig. Gen. Ron Kitrey on Israel army radio.

Israel launched both Monday's strike against the Syrian position and Tuesday's raids in Gaza after mortar shells fell near the Israeli town of Sderot about 5 kilometers (3 miles) inside Israel -- the deepest mortar attack into Israel in the seven-month Palestinian-Israeli confrontation.

The newly occupied territory includes the village of Beit Hanoun, where the Israelis said the mortar attacks have originated. Israeli soldiers have also been deployed along the road from Karni to Netzarim, and in points near Gush Katif.

The military wing of the Muslim group Hamas took responsibility for the mortar attack launched at Sderot in the Negev Desert, saying it was retaliating against earlier Israeli strikes at Palestinian targets. The group vowed more attacks.

Borders closed

The Israelis have also sealed Gaza's borders, preventing movement into and out of the area.

The Israel Defense Forces said that the raids' targets included:

• An armored vehicle and the guard position of a training base for Arafat's elite guard unit, Force 17, in the Dir El-Balach docks.
• Tanzim Commanders' office in Dir El-Balach.
• Preventative Security headquarters in Sheich Raduan.
• The headquarters of the Commander of the Palestinian Police in Gaza.
• Destruction of Palestinian posts south of the Erez crossing.

Israeli troops shot dead 17-year-old Palestinian Bassam Zaharan in the West Bank, who Israelis said had stabbed an Israeli soldier.

In Gaza, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said a 12-year-old Palestinian boy was shot and killed near Karni Crossing and a 10-year-old boy was wounded when he walked in front of a tank at Rafah on the Egyptian border and was shot in the head.

CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief Mike Hanna and Correspondent Jerrold Kessel contributed to this report.

Israel retaliates for Hezbollah attack
April 14, 2001

Lebanese Armed Forces
Lebanese Presidential Palace
Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israeli Prime Minister's Office
Knesset, Israeli Parliament
Israel Defense Forces
Permanent Mission of Israel to the U.N.

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