Israeli Officials Say Talks Proceed

[Behind the Aegis]

JERUSALEM (AP) -- Peace talks with the Palestinians will proceed this week despite a shooting attack at a Jerusalem religious seminary that killed eight Israelis, Israeli officials said.

Police across the country were on alert Sunday for possible additional attacks. Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier wounded by Gaza militants in a border ambush on Thursday died of his wounds, the military said. He was the second soldier to die as a result of the attack, and the fourth soldier killed in Gaza violence this month.

Israeli officials confirmed Saturday that the talks would continue, but spoke on condition of anonymity because there was no official announcement. Hours earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Israel not to abandon peace efforts.

The shooting attack in Jerusalem on Thursday, combined with relentless Gaza-Israel violence that has killed dozens, have threatened the U.S.-backed talks. On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak was due to meet with James Jones, a retired U.S. general who is Washington's security envoy to peace talks.

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