Qurie raps new work on barrier

Hopes ran high for a revival of peacemaking after the January 9 election of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who ran on a peace platform.

"The Israeli government is frustrating our efforts to achieve calm and revive the negotiations. Is this how they reward President Abbas and the Palestinians for making a 100 per cent effort?" Qurie asked.

In a move Palestinians considered a slap in the face for their new president, Israel resumed building one of the most controversial parts of the barrier just as Abbas wrapped up a week of talks in Gaza to persuade militants to accept a ceasefire.

Hamas, meanwhile, said in Gaza City that it is prepared to suspend attacks if Israel stops targeting militants and agrees to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

Palestinian security forces will be deployed in southern Gaza by tomorrow after an agreement between Palestinian and Israeli security chiefs, a Palestinian official said last night.

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