Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned that no West Bank pullout will be possible until Israel has developed a missile shield to counter rocket fire from the West Bank, which could threaten the country's population centers and paralyze its only international airport. Barak said this will take at least two-and-a-half years.
Ten Palestinian militants were killed in clashes with Israeli forces in Gaza on Thursday, the highest one-day toll since June 27, and Olmert said they died because of daily rocket barrages from Gaza.
Israeli forces battled militants in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, killing four, and several hours later, Palestinians stormed an Israeli army base just outside central Gaza, trying to crash through the border fence in a tractor and a jeep. Israeli aircraft struck the two vehicles and six militants were killed, officials said.
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