Israel threatens 'economic siege' on Gaza if militant attacks continue
Israel has threatened to impose an "economic siege" on the Gaza Strip unless Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas disarms militant groups, as Middle East quartet diplomats met in Jerusalem to examine ways of kick-starting talks between the two sides. Separately, a Hamas spokesman said a truce with Israel was still in effect, clarifying an earlier statement by a leader of the group indicating it had been called off.Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told Abbas that unless a crackdown on militants begins Sunday, Israel will redesignate two commercial terminals on the Gaza boundary as border crossings, which could choke off Palestinian trade, Israel's Channel Two television said.
There was no immediate comment on the report from officials close to Mofaz, who is running for leadership of the right-wing Likud Party ahead of Israeli general elections in March.
Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said he was unaware of such a threat being made, but said it would be inconsistent with a U.S.-led "road map" to peaceful Palestinian statehood in the West Bank and Gaza, alongside Israel.
"This should not be acceptable to anyone," Erekat said.
Kay