Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to escalate Israeli attacks in Gaza where at least fourteen Palestinians have died since Thursday. Olmert defended Israel’s actions saying they were needed to stop rocket attacks. Israel has also sharply reduced fuel supplies to the only electric plant in Gaza. Power is now being cut off eight hours a day inside the territory. Israel is coming under increasing criticism from Palestinian leaders and the Arab League. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa says Israel’s recent actions in Gaza and the West Bank jeopardize the talks that began in Annapolis.

Amr Moussa: “Secondly, the League Council considers that the continuation of the settlement policy and the continuation of the siege and the closing of the crossings, and the military attacks on civilian homes in Gaza and the West Bank, undermines the chances of the follow-on negotiations that have emerged from the Annapolis track.”

President Bush is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday as part of a regional tour that will cover seven nations.