WASHINGTON, June 11: In a rare rebuke to Israel, President George Bush has said that the latest Israeli attacks on Palestinian targets have jeopardized the prospects for peace in the Middle East.

A week ago, Israeli and Palestinian leaders met President Bush in Jordan and committed to a three-stage “roadmap” to peace and Palestinian statehood by 2005. But on Tuesday, Israel made an unsuccessful attempt to kill Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi, dealing a severe blow to the peace process.

President Bush said the attack did not promote Israel’s security. “I’m concerned the attacks make it more difficult for the Palestinian leadership to fight off terrorist attacks. ... I regret the loss of innocent life,” Mr Bush told reporters in the Oval Office as he met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday afternoon.