ISRAELI tanks and armoured personnel carriers surged into the West Bank in pursuit of Palestinian militants yesterday as Colin Powell attempted to mediate in the latest Middle East peace effort.

The Israeli manoeuvre, given cover by helicopters armed with machineguns, came in Jenin after a fresh outbreak of violence in the occupied territories, in which a Jewish settler was killed.

Zion David, 52, died from head wounds after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on his car near the settlement of Ofra. Militants in the Gaza Strip later fired three rockets at the Israeli town of Sderot. No one was hurt, but similar attacks in the past have provoked retaliation from Israel.

The latest violence provided a sombre backdrop to the US Secretary of State’s visit, which is intended to boost the Middle East “road map” peace proposal and bolster the standing of Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Prime Minister.

After his first meeting with Mr Abbas yesterday, General Powell said that it was time to start implementing the road map, despite strong disagreement between Israel and the Palestinians over how to enact its provisions. He said: “There is enough agreement and goodwill on both sides to get started. Let’s get started. Let’s not waste time.”

The peace plan outlines a process aimed at creating an independent Palestinian state by 2005. Israel has expressed reservations and has particularly demanded that the Palestinians crack down on violence.General Powell also called the new Palestinian leadership to clamp down on militant groups yesterday, saying: “The promise of a Palestinian state rings hollow when there is so much suffering. You have to destroy the terrorist infrastructure that has destroyed so many hopes and aspirations.”

Mr Abbas and Ariel Sharon, the Israeli Prime Minister, plan to hold their first face-to- face talks this weeks, possibly on Friday.

Yesterday, however, Palestinians expressed disappointment that General Powell had not won more Israeli concessions from his earlier talks with Mr Sharon. Mr Abbas called for an end to settlement activity, assassinations and restrictions on the movement of Palestinian citizens.

Explore World News

• World Agenda

• Iraq News

• US & Americas News

• Europe News

• Middle East News

• Asia News

• Africa News

• Ireland News

Times Recommends

• The Japanese Prime Minister is doomed: or is he?
• Brighton company 'involved in cyber attack'
• The art of survival: it's all in the mind