The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has warned that the worst is yet to come, in the current upsurge of violence in the Gaza Strip. Israel sent troops and tanks into southern Gaza on Wednesday in a clampdown after Palestinian gunmen, some from the armed wing of Hamas, seized Corporal Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid a week ago. In the latest attack, Israeli helicopter gunships struck the office of the Palestinian Prime Minister, Ismail Haniyeh. Mr Haniyeh has accused Israel of trying to destroy his elected Government and has called for foreign intervention to halt the Israeli intervention into Gaza.President Abbas is preparing for talks with the UN Middle East envoy, Alvero de Soto, as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. But he has warned of worse times ahead. "I am afraid that what is to come is going to be dangerous because we can't bear another serious aggression and another occupation," he said. "What is to come may be more difficult. Our people are living in harsh ways under the shelling and the air strike and the bombs. But what is to come may be more difficult."
The military offensive in the Gaza Strip has been coupled with statements from Israeli leaders that no members of the Hamas-led government should believe they are immune from attack. "We are tightening the pressure and we will continue to do what is necessary to ensure Hamas is made to pay the price," Israeli Interior Minister Roni Bar-On told Army Radio after the night-time helicopter assault. The air strike on Mr Haniyeh's office, he said, was part of an effort aimed at "threatening Hamas's ability to rule".