Suicide attack: Abbas to persuade militant groups to cease fire

&to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2001/10/02/16784.htm ' target=_blank>Palestinian militants attacked near an army base in the central Gaza Strip on Thursday and five people were killed and 10 wounded in the incident, an Israeli rescue service said.

The service did not say whether the victims were Israelis or Palestinians.

Israel Radio said two suicide bombers had detonated themselves near the Karni crossing between Israel and &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2002/03/26/27179.html ' target=_blank>Gaza and that four Israelis were wounded, informs Reuters.

According to the BBC News, three Palestinian militant groups claimed joint responsibility for carrying out the attack, in which two suicide bombers also died.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who was elected on Sunday, has said he hopes to persuade militant groups to agree to a ceasefire.

Israeli reports said the two Palestinians set off a 150kg bomb at the Karni crossing before apparently blowing themselves up.

Heavy exchanges of gunfire followed, which prevented ambulances from reaching those wounded in the bomb attack.