Abbas orders militant clampdown

Abbas's announcement comes amid continuing fighting with Israel

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has ordered his security forces to try to prevent militant attacks on Israelis, a Palestinian cabinet minister has said.

Mr Abbas gave "clear instructions to... prevent all kinds of violence including attacks on Israel", said Qadoura Fares.

Reports say Mr Abbas is due to travel to Gaza later to try to persuade militant groups to agree to a truce.

But Hamas said it reserved the right to resist and Gaza-based militants have continued to fire rockets into Israel.

In the latest violence, the Israeli army shot dead two gunmen in Gaza.

We have a decision to stop the cycle of violence Azzam al-Ahmed Palestinian communications minister Profile: Mahmoud Abbas Press mulls Abbas future

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ordered the Israeli army to take any action necessary to rein in militants in Gaza.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters news agency: "As long as occupation and aggression continue it will be natural for Palestinians to continue the resistance."

Cycle of violence

Tensions have soared since Palestinian suicide bombers killed six Israelis at a Gaza Strip crossing late on Thursday.

Israeli forces have killed about 20 Palestinians - including a number of civilians - during raids since Mr Abbas was elected as Palestinian Authority president on 9 January.

Numerous armed militias are operating among the Palestinians

Palestinian Communications Minister Azzam al-Ahmed said after the cabinet meeting that both attacks by the Palestinian side and Israeli military operations must end.

"We have a decision to stop the cycle of violence," he said.

The BBC's Barbara Plett says it is likely the Palestinian security forces will try to prevent further rocket attacks on Israeli towns, but not try to arrest or disarm the militants.

Israel has demanded that the militias be dismantled.

Border tension

A 15-year-old Israeli girl was critically injured by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants at the town of Sderot just outside the borders of Gaza over the weekend.

Two rockets which fell in its suburbs on Monday caused no casualties but added to anger in the town where a general strike was under way to demand better protection.

Black flags of mourning flew in the town for four local residents killed in recent months.

"A government that cannot defend all its citizens is a government that has no right to rule," Mayor Eli Moyal told a rally.

Israeli troops killed the two Palestinian gunmen, both members of Islamic Jihad, on a road used by Jewish settlers leading to the Gush Katif settlement.

Shooting erupted when they were spotted near a border fence with an anti-tank missile launcher, the army said.