Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon last night condemned an attack in which three Palestinians, including a three-month baby, were killed near Hebron, West Bank, when suspected Jewish settlers open fire on their van. Four others were injured.
"The Prime Minister and the Israeli government condemn all forms of violence and terrorism no matter who carries them out. We regret the fact that innocent people have lost their lives," according the a statement from the Prime Minister's office.
"An inquiry is under way. We are unable at this stage to determine the identity of those responsible for this attack and the circumstances which surround it. We will not spare any effort to bring those responsible for this attack to justice."
The victims, Mr Mohammad Saleimeh al Tmezi, Mr Mohammad Hilmi al Tmezi and Diya Maruan al Tmezi, were in a van driving some eight miles to the west of Hebron when they came under fire 500 yards from an Israeli army roadblock. They were returning from a wedding.
Israeli public radio reported that a shadowy extremist settlers' group called "The Committee for Safety on the Roads" had claimed responsibility.
Israeli President Mr Moshe Katzav also condemned the attack. "No one should take the law into his own hands."
The shooting has added to suspicions that an anti-Arab underground could be at work in the West Bank.
Mr Shahar Ayalon, Israel's police chief in the West Bank, said gunmen in a white car waiting at the side of a road opened fire on the Palestinian van and then headed towards the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat.
Asked if Jews carried out the shooting, he told army radio: "That's what we think."
Meanwhile, 10 Palestinians were wounded late last night in Hebron in shooting with Israeli soldiers following the deaths of the three Palestinians.
Israel yesterday rejected a call by G8 foreign ministers for international monitoring of the Middle East conflict.
"As long as there is continuing violence and terrorism it would be useless to deploy monitors in the territories," said Mr Raanan Gissin, spokesperson for the Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon.
However, the Palestinians hailed the proposal, which has been the subject of a long-standing appeal to the international community.