The relative calm that had existed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the election of new PA president Mahmoud Abbas two weeks ago was shattered today. Palestinian militants were responsible for two against Israelis today which resulted in five Israelis being injured. Israeli authorities reported that at least one of the gunmen involved in one of the attacks was killed when the army returned fire.

The first incident took place at a checkpoint in the Gaza Strip. The vehicle carrying the gunmen claimed to have broken down at the checkpoint before the gunmen attacked using guns and grenades.

In the West Bank, Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Israeli troops near the town of Eshkolot, just outside of Hebron. Three soldiers were wounded in that attack.

The violence came only a few hours after the Israeli cabinet approved the release of 900 Palestinian prisoners and a withdrawal from five Palestinian cities in the West Bank. The moves were designed to build confidence prior to next week's scheduled summit between Prime Minister Sharon and PA President Abbas in Egypt.

The Palestinian Authority had no official comment on the attacks.

Meanwhile, Khaled Mashaal, a leader of the militant group Hamas indicated that his members would not sign a pledge to stop attacking Israel.

'No Palestinian would accept such signing because he would condemn himself.'

Israel had said they would stop hunting fugitives wanted for attacking Israelis if the fugitives signed a paper indicating they would not attack Israel again and handed in their weapons.