Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/israeli-attacks-gaza-rocket-fire-strain-peace-efforts Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript After one of the bloodiest weekend in nearly a year, the Israel military left Gaza today after issuing a series of attacks in an effort to curb militant rocket fire. Analysts examine how the fighting may impact peace efforts in the region. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. JIM LEHRER: Now, the Gaza story, and to Margaret Warner. MARGARET WARNER: After a weekend of bloody fighting in Gaza, Hamas militants staged a victory celebration today to mark the departure of Israeli soldiers.The fighting between them killed more than 100 Palestinians, including civilians and two Israeli soldiers.It was the worst violence in Gaza since Hamas seized total control of the impoverished area nearly nine months ago and since Israel unilaterally withdrew from the territory nearly three years ago.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said there would be no respite for Hamas if Gaza-launched rockets continue shelling Israeli towns and cities.EHUD OLMERT, Prime Minister of Israel (through translator): I will say only that we are acting and we will continue to act in a way that is painful and effective, that will bring maximum results in terms of halting terror. MARGARET WARNER: Yet today saw another rocket attack on Israel and more Israeli air strikes on Gaza.The weekend violence in Gaza also threatened to spread to the West Bank, which is still under control of the more moderate Palestinian Fatah Party. The town of Hebron saw a confrontation today between rock-throwing Palestinians and Israeli soldiers.Yesterday, after donating blood for Gaza residents, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he was suspending the Palestinian Authority's participation in peace talks with Israel. MAHMOUD ABBAS, President, Palestinian Authority (through translator): We have contacted all parties around the world, and the U.N., the quartet, and a number of Arab leaders in order to put an end to the aggression that our people are facing. We will continue our efforts in order to end the suffering of our people. MARGARET WARNER: Israel says it is responding to increasingly sophisticated rocket attacks onto its territory, more than 1,000 since last June.Over the weekend, for example, rockets hit the Israeli town of Ashkelon, 10 miles north of Gaza. Last week, a resident of Sderot was killed by a rocket after Israeli air strikes killed five Hamas fighters in Gaza.Israel's response drew some international criticism, including from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. BAN KI-MOON, United Nations Secretary-General: I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children. MARGARET WARNER: But Prime Minister Olmert said yesterday Israel was fully justified. EHUD OLMERT (through translator): No one has the moral right to preach to Israel for taking the elementary step of self-defense. MARGARET WARNER: Despite the turmoil, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice left for the region today, hoping to advance the Mideast peace process that was launched last November in Annapolis, Maryland.