Death Toll Soars in Middle East

At least 24 Palestinians, including a senior security commander, were killed today in the escalating violence in the Middle East.

Israeli soldiers, aircraft and warships hit targets in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Infantrymen and tanks poured into Biblical Bethlehem, where at least five Palestinians were killed.

The assault followed a night-time raid by a lone Palestinian gunman in a Jewish settlement in Gaza, where five Israeli students were killed.

The escalation of violence followed an announcement from the US president, George Bush, that he is sending his special envoy to the Middle East back to the region.

Late last night, a Palestinian gunman infiltrated the Jewish settlement of Atzmona in southern Gaza. He opened fire with an assault rifle and threw grenades inside a school that combines religious studies and military training.

Four Israelis were killed and 20 wounded, five seriously. One of the injured died later in hospital.

Settlers said the attacker ran from room to room in the school, firing and throwing grenades at students. He was trying to escape from the settlement when a soldier shot him dead.

The military wing of the militant Hamas group claimed responsibility.

The Israeli response was ferocious.

Twenty Palestinians were killed in two Israeli attacks in Gaza. Major general Ahmed Mefraj, deputy commander of public security, was among the dead. He is the highest-ranking Palestinian officer killed in a clash with Israelis.

The general was one of at least 16 killed and 35 wounded when Israeli forces moved into the village of Hozaa.

Palestinians said a tank shell and machine gun fire hit his car, killing him, a bodyguard and a local security commander.

Israeli troops pulled out of the village at daybreak, residents said.

In the West Bank, Israeli tanks and troops entered Bethlehem in a two-pronged attack.

Israeli helicopters fired at the Aida refugee camp in the town after Palestinians shot at an Israeli outpost, witnesses said. Four Palestinians were killed and 20 wounded.

Israel said its troops were conducting house-to-house searches for Palestinian activists.

The deepening violence has prompted a renewed peace initiative from America.

Mr Bush said that his special envoy Anthony Zinni would return to the region and work to find a truce to end 17 months of conflict.

"I'm deeply concerned about the tragic loss of life and the escalating violence," Mr Bush said in a statement.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders welcomed the decision.

"Prime Minister (Ariel) Sharon values and appreciates the work of General Zinni and the efforts he has made in halting the violence, terror and incitement," a statement from Sharon's office said.

A Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erekat, said the Bush administration had at last realised that Mr Sharon's policies were leading to "more bloodshed and deterioration".

He said he hoped Mr Zinni would bring a "concrete plan" for peace.

Just before Israeli forces moved into Bethlehem, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at Palestinian headquarters, a complex that has already been hit hard in previous air strikes.

Israeli forces attacked a Palestinian police base north of Gaza City in the early hours. Gunboats fired machine guns and helicopters fired three missiles at the base, witnesses said. Four people were killed, including a rescue worker in an ambulance.

Israeli gunfire hit a police explosives storage building, setting off blasts that could be heard all over Gaza City, witnesses said.

The violence followed the deaths of 13 Palestinians yesterday, when Israeli warplanes pounded Palestinian security buildings in the West Bank and Gaza, and soldiers swept through two West Bank refugee camps.

Nine Palestinians were killed in one camp, including a rescue worker in an ambulance with United Nations markings.

UN secretary-general Kofi Annan condemned the killing and called on Israel to "thoroughly investigate the incident and to take the necessary action against those responsible".

Also yesterday, Palestinians attempted three bomb attacks against Israelis.