Rocket hits shopping centre as Bush visits Israel
George Bush believes a peace deal can be agreed before he leaves office
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Thursday, 15, May 2008 12:03
A rocket has been fired at a shopping centre in the Israeli city of Ashkelon injuring at least 14 people.
The attack on Wednesday came as US president George Bush began a five-day trip to the Middle East which will see him visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
The al-Jazeera news agency reports that several Palestinian groups within Gaza have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Earlier on Wednesday, four Palestinians were killed during two Israeli incursions into the Gaza Strip while an air strike on the southern town of Khan Younis killed a Hamas militant.
Speaking in Jerusalem hours after the shopping centre attack, Mr Bush praised Israel as a model of democracy.
The US president also reaffirmed his belief that Israel and Palestine can strike a peace deal before the end of his presidency this year.
"We believe that the surest way to defeat the enemies of hatred is to advance the cause of hope, the cause of freedom, liberty as the great alternative to tyranny and terror," Mr Bush said yesterday.
Mr Bush is visiting Israel as the country celebrates 60 years since its foundation.
Palestinians refer to the establishment of Israel as al-Nakba, "the catastrophe", with more than 700,000 fleeing their homes or being expelled since 1948.