Israel confirms tanks enter Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Sharon

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli security sources Sunday confirmed its tanks entered a Palestinian-controlled area a day earlier, saying the armed vehicles were used as cover for Israeli forces searching for Palestinian gunmen.

In a statement, Israel Defense Forces said four armed gunmen were in the area around Gush Katif, a block of Jewish settlements between Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The IDF said army forces opened fire toward the gunmen, who then ran away.

The army forces pursued the gunmen and began searches in the area. The tanks were used as cover during the searches. The Israeli army said all its forces had now left the Palestinian-controlled area.

Palestinian security sources said Saturday five Israeli army tanks and a bulldozer had entered the area.

Palestinian sources also confirmed a meeting earlier this week between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and three senior Palestinian officials, and said the Israeli leader told them he was serious and willing to compromise on certain issues.

RESOURCES In-Depth: Mideast Struggle for Peace

It was the first meeting reported between Sharon and Palestinian officials since he was elected.

The Israeli government would not comment on the meeting, first reported Friday by Israel Radio. But a government statement said all of Sharon's contacts with Palestinians are meant to achieve one end -- to stop violence and terror -- and that no political progress will be made in the region until the Palestinians take certain steps to stop violence.

According to Palestinian officials, Sharon met Wednesday in Jerusalem with Abu Ala, Palestinian legislative council speaker; Abu Mazen, deputy to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat; and Mohammad Rasheed, Arafat's economic adviser.

Sharon presented his views of the situation in the Middle East and said he is not against the Palestinian people but is simply fighting terror, Palestinian officials said. Sharon also said he would not compromise on security issues.

At the meeting, the Palestinians presented their views on wanting a Palestinian state and more security, the officials said.

Friday night, Palestinian sources said, a trilateral security meeting was held in Tel Aviv among Israeli, Palestinian, and United States officials. At one point, the Israelis and Palestinians met alone before the Americans rejoined the talks.

Palestinian sources said the meeting did not produce many results, though the meeting itself was significant.

In other developments, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said Saturday it has decided to suspend its participation in the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) until its leader, Ahmed Saadat, is released from a Palestinian Authority jail.

The last time the PFLP suspended its participation in the organization was in 1996. The group says it is dedicated to "liberating all of Palestine and establishing a democratic socialist Palestinian state." It has conducted attacks on Israelis.

Saadat was put in jail last month while the Palestinian Authority investigates the PFLP's role in the killing of Israeli Tourism Minister Rechavam Ze'evi in October. The group claimed responsibility for his assassination.

The suspension is a sign of the internal pressure facing Arafat as he deals with Israeli demands to take strong action against organizations like the PFLP.