RICE: STOP ROCKETS FROM GAZA FIRST

Olmert, Rice discuss Gaza crisis (JTA)
Ehud Olmert and Condoleezza Rice agreed that stopping terrorist rocket fire from the Gaza Strip takes priority over relieving the Palestinian plight there.

The Israeli prime minister and U.S. secretary of state held a breakfast meeting Thursday in Japan, where their paths crossed during separate official visits.

Rice, who will travel to Israel and the West Bank next week to promote a U.S. initiative for helping the Palestinian economy, told Olmert she was concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza amid a surge in fighting this week.

"I am concerned about the humanitarian conditions there and innocent people in the Gaza who are being hurt. We have to remember that the Hamas activities there are responsible for what has happened in Gaza," Rice told reporters, referring to cross-rocket attacks by the Islamist group.

"The issue is that the attacks -- rocket attacks -- need to stop," she said.

Responding to stepped-up attacks, Israeli forces killed 18 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank in several airstrikes Thursday.

Olmert, who was to fly home later Thursday, indicated that Israel's current priority is crushing the rocket threat rather than relieving Gaza's civilian problems.

"We are at the height of the fighting," he said. "We will make the terrorists pay a very painful price."

Rice Demands End to Rocket Attacks
U.S. Secretary of State Rice, meeting Israeli Prime Minister Olmert in Tokyo, called for an end to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli territory from Gaza. Asked whether she advised Olmert to prevent the military from using disproportionate force in Gaza, Rice said: "I think that's not a good way to address this issue. The issue is that the rocket attacks need to stop.'' Rice will visit Israel and the West Bank next week to help accelerate Middle East peace talks. (Bloomberg)

See also Rice Tells Olmert She's Concerned about Gaza Civilians - Arshad Mohammed
Secretary of State Rice voiced concern on Thursday about Palestinian civilians killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza, but stopped short of an explicit call for Israel to exercise restraint. "I am concerned about the humanitarian condition there and innocent people in Gaza who are being hurt. We have to remember that the Hamas activities there are responsible for what has happened in Gaza," she said. (Reuters)