Abbas fights for control after killings

Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is today fighting for his political future amid fears of a further escalation of violence in the Middle East.

Israel's assasination of senior Hamas leader Ismail Abu Shanab prompted militant groups to declare an end to their ceasefire agreement and pledge revenge.

Mr Abbas is under pressure from factions within the Palestinian Authority following the collapse of the ceasefire, which he brokered personally two months ago.

Israeli security sources revealed today that yesterday's Gaza City strike was the first of a series authorised by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

This step-up in action came in the wake of Tuesday's bus bombing in Jerusalem which killed 20 Israelis and injured more than 100. Army tanks have also returned to Palestinian cities including Jenin and Nablus.

Mr Abbas spent last night in negotiations with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at his Ramallah compound. Despite being sidelined by Israel and the US, Mr Arafat still controls much of the Palestinian security apparatus and commands loyalty among ordinary Palestinians.

US secretary of state Colin Powell, among those who have refused to deal with Mr Arafat, underlined his role in the crisis by issuing a direct appeal for help to save the prime minister. "I call on Chairman Arafat to work with Prime Minister Abbas and to make available those security elements that are under his control," said Mr Powell.

Despite the plea, reports from Ramallah indicated more than a dozen wanted militants in Mr Arafat's compound last night left their hideaway.

In Gaza City, on the eve of the funeral for Abu Shanab today, tens of thousands of Hamas supporters took to the streets threatening to avenge the killing.

"Today we are going to blow up the so-called ceasefire and to turn our words into bullets that will hit the Zionists in every corner in our occupied land," a speaker told the crowd.

"We advise the leaders of Israel to prepare plastic bags to collect the remains of the victims."

Israel nevertheless remained defiant and denied it had deliberately undermined Mr Abbas's government. Spokesman Dore Gold said: "The real question is, why, after the Jerusalem bomb didn't the PA leadership immediately send 2,000 to 3,000 security forces to go after the Hamas leadership?

"Just a week ago there were two terrible terrorist bombs in Ariel and Rosh Ha'ayin. Abu Mazen [Abbas] didn't act, and then we lost 20 people."