Israel pounds Gaza, arrests Palestinian minister

GAZA, May 26 (Reuters) Israel pounded Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip today, killing at least four fighters, and seized a minister in Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh's cabinet, stepping up a campaign against the ruling Islamists.

Rapid-fire air strikes flattened compounds used by Hamas's Executive Force and armed wing, and a guardhouse outside Haniyeh's home, after Gaza militants behind rocket attacks against Israel signalled they might agree to a truce.

Giant plumes of black smoke rose over what remained of the Executive Force compound in Gaza City. At least four Executive Force members were killed and at least 20 people were wounded, Hamas and medical workers said.

Palestinian witnesses reported seven Israeli air strikes just before midday, on top of five air strikes overnight in which at least three people, all passers-by, were hurt.

Militants fired at least five rockets at Israel today, causing no injuries, the army said.

The Palestinian Minister of State, Wasfi Kabha of Hamas, was arrested in an early morning raid on his village near the West Bank city of Jenin, a Palestinian security official said.

Kabha is the second cabinet minister seized by Israel since Thursday when troops arrested Education Minister Naser al-Shaer of Hamas and 32 other officials in the occupied West Bank.

''We have urged the US and the EU to intervene to release the ministers and lawmakers,'' said Saeb Erekat, an aide to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah. ''This step does not help to achieve calm.'' The arrests have also raised concerns in Washington and at the United Nations.

The barrage of air strikes and Jenin arrest raid came hours after Hamas's armed wing and other militant factions said they were considering a proposal by Abbas for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Previously, militants had said that in order to revive a Gaza truce declared in November, Israel must also agree to cease hostilities in the West Bank, another territory where Palestinians seek statehood. Israel rebuffed that demand.

During crisis talks between faction leaders in Gaza, militants said they could accept a new, mutual ceasefire in Gaza alone, according to Fatah officials. Fatah said the militants gave Israel until tomorrow to respond.

Other militant groups denied any commitments had been made. They said they were weighing a proposal made by Abbas for a trial month-long truce in Gaza.

ISRAEL RELUCTANT Israeli officials had no immediate comment. Since violence surged earlier this month, Israeli officials have rebuffed calls for a ceasefire, arguing it would give Hamas time to rearm.

The new Palestinian truce efforts underscore the precariousness of a power-sharing deal between Hamas and Fatah.

Even though they are partners in a two-month-old unity government, fighting between Hamas and Fatah killed some 50 Palestinians earlier this month. The latest ceasefire between the two groups appears to be holding, but tensions remain high.

Egypt has sought to mediate. A Fatah delegation was due in Cairo today for talks. A Hamas spokesman said the group would also be prepared to meet Egyptian officials.

Hamas has diehard hostility to the Jewish state. But it is aware the fighting has deepened Palestinian rancour at the government, crippled by a Western aid embargo imposed over Hamas's refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence.

Israel's air strikes have killed at least 42 Palestinians, including 29 fighters, militant groups say.

More than 220 rockets have been fired into Israel since May 15, ending six months of relative calm. One killed an Israeli woman in the town of Sderot near the Gaza border.

REUTERS ABM BD1450