Sharon bids for coalition before Gaza vote

Peter Hansen (C), head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), sits with a Palestinian family during his visit to northern Gaza Street refugee camp of Jabalia yesterday. A diplomatic storm broke out between Israel and UNRWA earlier this month after the Israeli army released grainy footage of what it said was Palestinian militants loading a Qassam rocket into an UNRWA vehicle. PHOTO: AFP

Meanwhile at least four Palestinians militants were shot dead by Israeli troops, including a pair from Hamas who were planning to attack a kibbutz.

Sharon, who also met with President Moshe Katsav, has so far rebuffed increasing pressure to call a referendum on his so-called disengagement plan, which is facing strong opposition from settlers and within his own Likud party.

But he acknowledged that fresh elections were a possibility if he was unable to end the political divisions while adding that he did not think they were in the country's interests.

"I don't think it's a good thing to hold elections now. I'm not scared of elections, and if there is no way out, there will be elections," Sharon told reporters.

"But as the nation is currently engaged in a diplomatic plan, in a very fierce struggle against terror, and has a complex and difficult economic plan in front of it, I think we have to make every effort to prevent elections."

Katsav, who has a largely symbolic role, is himself in favour of a referendum on the disengagement plan, which will see all 8,000 Jewish residents of Gaza uprooted from their homes next year.

Despite his opposition, there appears to be a growing movement within Sharon's own Likud party for a U-turn, with Likud MPs also meeting Monday to debate a draft bill drawn up by one hardline deputy for a referendum.

Education Minister Limor Livnat, has been floating a compromise deal which would see a positive vote for disengagement in parliament next Monday as the trigger for a nationwide referendum whose outcome would be regarded as binding by the settler movement.

Livnat fired a shot across Sharon's bows by warning him not to ignore the feelings of his party.

"The prime minister must be attentive to the feelings of the public, the feelings of the MKs, and the feelings of the ministers," she told army radio.

"There is definitely a significant number of those among the Likud faction who are opposed (to disengagement). It is the prime minister's job and his obligation to be attentive."

Sharon lost his parliamentary majority back in June when traditional allies either quit or were sacked in a row over the project, which has been enthusiastically endorsed by US President George W. Bush.

At least four militants were killed by Israeli troops in separate incidents on Monday, including the Hamas militants who broke through a barrier separating Israeli territory from Gaza and were trying to attack a kibbutz when they were spotted by troops.

Hamas said two of its fighters had been "martyred" in a "heroic operation".

Palestinian security sources also confirmed that two members of another armed faction, Islamic Jihad, had been killed in the Rafah region of southern Gaza.

An Israeli military source said they had been shot while planting an explosives device on the Israeli-controlled border between Gaza and Egypt.

Meanwhile, military sources said two other militants had been shot and "apparently killed" near the Kissufim crossing between Gaza and Israel after a group of Palestinians had opened fire at an Israeli military vehicle.