Hamas says Israeli tank shells north Gaza, killing 3 Palestinians and wounding 5

Hamas: Israeli strike in Gaza kills 3 Palestinians

JERUSALEM — Hamas security officials say three Palestinians have been killed by Israeli tank fire in the northern Gaza Strip. Five people were wounded.

There was no immediate comment Sunday from the Israeli military.

Israeli forces and Palestinians frequently clash in the area.

Israel charges that Palestinians try to infiltrate or plant explosives along Gaza’s border with Israel.

Palestinians say that Israel is enforcing a wide no-go zone in Gaza, and that soldiers open fire on farmers and other civilians who enter.

Hamas is the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday the current restrictions on West Bank settlements will not remain in place, though there will still be some limits on construction.

Israel’s 10-month freeze on new housing starts in West Bank settlements expires at the end of this month and is a key point of contention in newly launched peace talks with Palestinians. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has threatened repeatedly to quit the talks if Israel does not renew the restrictions.

Netanyahu told Mideast envoy Tony Blair the Palestinians want a total freeze in construction.

“That will not happen,” he said. Israel will not build “tens of thousands of housing units that are in the pipeline, but we will not freeze the lives of the residents,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister imposed a 10-month freeze on new housing starts in the West Bank to promote resumption of peace talks. But several thousand housing units already being built were allowed to continue, and the measure does not apply to Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem.

Members of his Likud Party and government coalition partners oppose extending the freeze on housing starts.

Blair’s office would not immediately comment about the details of the meeting.

Netanyahu also said the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a Jewish state, but he would not make that a condition for continuing the talks.