Abbas announced the meeting during his press conference held Tuesday with European Parliament President Hans-Gert Pottering, as a representative of Olmert confirmed the future talks, but did not specify an exact date.

A great number of Qassam rockets hit territories near the border with Gaza since two weeks ago, all launched by the military wing of Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. Until now two victims were reported, both in Sderot, but the attack entered a third week so more casualties could appear.

Israel retaliated sharply and launched airstrikes against key positions of the Hamas movement, more than fifty Palestinians being killed, among several civilians. Dozens of buildings were destroyed and the conflict tends to escalate, as ground troops entered the Gaza Strip Tuesday and killing two Palestinians, army officials reported.

Tanks and armored vehicles crossed the border from the south and were engaged in fire exchange with militants just outside of the Rafah city. Also, Israeli troops made several arrests in the region.

After Olmert gave the green light for pin-point attacks and limited ground operations, numerous buildings were raided by either Air Force planes or troops, a few high-dignitaries being arrested, as government sources informed.

Regarding the talks between Abbas and Olmert, it looks like the United States had a great contribution in persuading Olmert meet with Palestinian president, despite his feelings of resent towards “a weak president who works with a Hamas-led government that refuses to recognize its right to exist.”