Israel Apologizes For Civilian Deaths

(CBS/AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert apologized Thursday for the deaths of Palestinian civilians in recent Israeli air strikes after meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at an informal breakfast in Jordan.

Some 13 Palestinian civilians have been killed in Israeli air strikes in the past week, including two people in a Gaza house on Wednesday and three children in Gaza on Tuesday.

Olmert said he felt "deep regret for the death of innocent Palestinians."

"It is against our policy and I am very, very sorry," he added.

Later, speaking at an economic conference in Jerusalem, Olmert apologized "from the depths of my being" for civilian deaths in recent airstrikes in Gaza, but he added, "Israel will continue to carry out targeted attacks against terrorists and those who try to harm Israeli citizens."

In other developments:

The Islamic militant group Hamas, which heads the Palestinian Authority, may be softening its position toward Israel, agreeing to sections of a document calling for a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. That implies recognition of Israel's right to exist within the pre-1967 borders, reports CBS News correspondent Robert Berger (audio). Hamas is under pressure from Palestinian moderates to soften its position, in a bid to end international sanctions that have crippled the Palestinian economy. Palestinian factions hope to finalize the document in a few days.

The International Red Cross humanitarian movement has extended membership to Israel, after a 60-year struggle. Israel had objected to the symbol of the cross and wanted to be allowed to use its symbol, the Red Star of David, reports Berger. In a landmark decision, the Red Cross approved the use of a neutral symbol, the Red Crystal.

It was the first time Olmert and Abbas have met since Olmert was elected three months ago. Both sides said the meeting was positive, but pointed out that it was not negotiations, reports Berger. The two leaders are expected to hold a formal meeting in the near future to discuss reviving peace talks.

However, Olmert cautioned that serious negotiations were unlikely until the Hamas-led Palestinian government recognized Israel.

"I think that Abu Mazen is a genuine person and he comes here with good intentions," Olmert said after meeting Abbas, using the Palestinian leader's nickname.

"But to the best of my knowledge, he is not the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority," Olmert said. Abbas, a moderate elected separately last year, is in an intense power struggle with Hamas politicians, including Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh.

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