A Hamas activist and a Palestinian have been killed today in the latest Middle East violence.
The Hamas activist was killed when his car exploded in the West Bank city of Tulkarm, and the militant Islamic group accused Israel of assassinating him.
It has vowed to retaliate for the killing of Mr Fawwaz Badran (27) in the explosion outside his music store in the city centre.
In the Gaza Strip, meanwhile, Israeli soldiers shot dead a Palestinian they said was about to hurl a grenade at a passing patrol.
The dramatic escalation of the conflict followed a declaration in Rome by Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon that Israel would now retaliate tit-for-tat for every Palestinian attack and that talks are finished until the violence stops.
Palestinian officials accuse Israel of assassinating at least 40 activists since the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation flared in the West Bank and Gaza Strip last September when peace talks stalled.
Israel denies having such policy but says it deliberately targets those it knows are involved in terrorist attacks against its citizens.
The United States and the UN secretary-general, Mr Kofi Annan, have urged Israel to end a policy, which they say violates international law and threatens peace efforts.