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Israel: Palestinians kill 2 Gaza motoristsIncident happened hours after Rice visit
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YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSJERUSALEM (CNN) -- Palestinian militant groups claimed responsibility early Sunday for a Gaza shooting that killed an Israeli couple traveling into a southern Gaza settlement. Israeli military officials said a Palestinian gunman was killed in a confrontation after the shootings on the main road into Gush Katif, a block of Jewish settlements between Rafah and Khan Yunis. A second gunman was killed by soldiers after he was identified in searches immediately following the attack, the Israeli military said. Five Israeli civilians were hurt, one moderately and four slightly, the military said. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, opening his weekly Cabinet meeting, said that "Israel will not countenance this terrorism" and that he had stressed the issue in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "I made it clear to her the additional instructions that have been given to the security establishment on this issue are very clear, and that the IDF will respond sharply against terrorist activity," he said. The groups claiming responsibility were the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Islamic Jihad and Salah al-Din Brigades, a wing of the Popular Resistance Committee. The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are listed by the U.S. State Department as terrorist organizations. Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a militant group dedicated to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel. Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades is a military offshoot of the ruling Fatah party's movement. The Fatah political organization founded in 1965 by former Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, who died in November. The Popular Resistance Committee is a coalition of militant groups. The shooting occurred on the main road into Gush Katif, a block of Jewish settlements between Rafah and Khan Yunis, just hours after Rice concluded a visit to the Middle East. Responsibilities on both sidesOn Saturday, Rice held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, commending the Palestinian leadership for "ongoing efforts" to clamp down on militants using violence to "delay the achievement of a Palestinian state." But she said "there is much work to be done" as the clock ticks toward Israel's historic disengagement plan next month in which the Jewish state will withdraw from all of Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Rice's Middle East visit included stops in Lebanon and Israel, where she met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. (Full story) Rice expressed concern that the areas vacated by Israel this summer "will not once again be used' for terror bases. Speaking at a joint press conference with Abbas, Rice said the disengagement plan will require cooperation. "There needs to be coordination and there needs to be a sense of predictability because this is going to be a very complicated operation for the Israelis, for the Palestinians," Rice said. "I think understanding between both sides for what is going to transpire is very important." "The two sides both have responsibilities to make this coordinated withdrawal work," she said. When Israel withdraws from Gaza, she said, it cannot be sealed or isolated. She said the United States is committed to "connectivity between Gaza and the West Bank." "Gaza is going to be Palestinian, and that means that the Palestinian people need to experience freedom of movement in Gaza. "It is also the case that there has to be a link between Gaza and the West Bank," she said, adding that there also "needs to be greater freedom of movement on the West Bank itself." Rice said the United States has been clear about Israeli obligations in efforts to reach peace between Israelis and Palestinians. She said Israel shouldn't do "anything that will prejudge a final status outcome." She said the United States continues to be concerned about the route of Israel's security barrier, especially around Jerusalem. Israel said it erected the barrier to thwart Palestinian terror attacks. (Full story) Also, she said, the United States believes that settlement activity should stop. Rice also mentioned Palestinian obligations -- fighting terror while promoting and enhancing its fledgling democracy. The Israeli government has said the disengagement plan will redraw the landscape of the Middle East, allowing for the possible resumption of the peace process with the Palestinian Authority. The plan has sent rivals jockeying for position. Recent violence has pitted Israelis against Palestinians, Palestinian militants against Palestinian security forces, and Israeli police against Gaza and West Bank settlers. On Friday, Israeli military officials said a Palestinian bystander was shot and killed when he was caught in a firefight between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants in the West Bank city of Hebron. A day earlier, Israeli authorities arrested 300 protesters who were trying to enter Gaza in defiance of a government order banning nonresidents from entering the territory. (Full story) CNN's Yoav Appel contributed to this report. 
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