Israeli and Palestinian negotiators said that peace efforts had turned to summing up gains made so far preserving them as guidelines in an uncertain future, after US President Bill Clinton leaves office and pro-accord Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak faces an unhappy electorate. With just days left for any agreement, tensions over the disappearance of a Jewish settler threatened to further endanger even that modest goal. Israeli tanks responded to the apparent kidnapping by shelling late yesterday south of Gaza City and the isolated Jewish settlement of Netzarim - one shell landing about 1.5 kilometre from Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat`s office in Gaza city, Palestinian officials said.
Firing illumination shells into the night sky, Israeli forces closed main roads in Gaza and sealed off all borders to search for the settler, identified by Israel radio as Roni Tsalah.
The man`s car, carrying a locating transmitter, was tracked to the Palestinian city of Khan Yunis. Local residents told Israeli radio the car was found in flames in a central Square in the city, and settlers said the man himself was in the hands of the Palestinians.
Barak`s office said officials had no confirmation late on Sunday whether the man was dead or alive.
Palestinian Police said that they were helping the Israeli Army, which was sweeping Central Gaza for the missing man. One Palestinian policeman was injured when Israeli tanks fired near a police checkpoint near Khan Yunis, Palestinian officials said.
Bureau Report