GAZA CITY, 5 January 2008 — US President George W. Bush yesterday called on Israel to dismantle rogue settlements on occupied Palestinian land. In the Gaza Strip, two Hamas fighters were killed in a shootout with Israeli troops.

Ahead of his visit to the region next week, Bush said in an interview with Israel’s Yediot Ahronot daily that the Israeli government had promised Washington to get rid of unauthorized settlements in the occupied West Bank. “We expect them to honor their commitments,” the president said.

Asked whether he supported Israel retaining some of its large settlement blocs in the occupied West Bank under a final-status agreement, Bush said: “Both understand, as well, that I said conditions on the ground, the realities of the situation will help determine what... the borders look like. But the unauthorized settlements, which is different from authorized settlements, is an issue we’ve been very clear on.”

Rogue outposts are Israeli settlements established in the West Bank without government permission. The international community considers all Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land as illegal.

The issue of Israeli settlements is one of the most divisive issues of the Middle East conflict and has been the leading source of discord since the two sides revived peace talks after a nearly seven-year hiatus in late November.

Bush said he was embarking on his first trip to the region while president “to help boost the confidence of both parties to reach out for a vision.”

“I’m also going to the Arab world.... to convince the Arab nations that Israel is a partner — should be a partner in peace; that this vision is in the interests not only of Israel and the Palestinians, but it’s in the interests of the Arab world,” he said.

Bush telephoned Jordan’s King Abdallah and said Washington was committed to the newly revived peace process. Bush told the king his forthcoming trip “seeks to reaffirm the United States’ commitments to helping Israel and the Palestinians reach a final peaceful settlement to their conflict,” a palace statement said.

In the Gaza Strip, two members of Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, were killed and three others wounded yesterday morning during a limited Israeli incursion into Beit Hanoun city. Al-Qassam Brigades identified the dead fighters as Muhammad Al-Kafarnah, 25, and Ahmed Al-Kafarnah, 27.

— Additional input from agencies