Palestinian PM threatens shutdown

Mr Qurei (centre) formed his government in February

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has threatened to suspend his government's work unless security chiefs act against growing lawlessness.

Mr Qurei said Palestinian security personnel were themselves behind hundreds of attacks, and it was up to commanders to rein them in.

Citizens could no longer live in the chaos caused, he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, a father and son were shot dead by two masked gunmen in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Authority on Sunday carried out the death penalty on four convicted murderers for the first time in several years.

Human rights have condemned the executions, the first since 2002, but Palestinian officials say they are needed to deter lawlessness.

Security pledge

Mr Qurei said any security commander who was reluctant to hold subordinates to account should leave the service.

"We are calling on our brothers in the security services to take the necessary measures to deter those who are carrying out attacks at will against our citizens," he said at a weekly cabinet meeting.

"If this continues, the government will suspend [its functions]."

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has pledged to make the restoration of law and order one of his top priorities.