Israelis welcome pacts signed in US with 2 Arab states

People in Israel expressed their delight Wednesday after the signing of historic peace agreements in Washington between Israel and two Gulf Arab nations, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

"I think it will begin a whole new kind of milestone in terms of not only peace for Israel, but hopefully a really warm peace between Israel and the Gulf,'' said Seth Frantzman, a Jerusalem resident.

The agreements formalize the Jewish state's warming ties with the two Arab nations, united by their common opposition to Iran and its behaviour in the region.

The agreements do not address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, beyond securing a promise from Israel that its plans to annexe some of the West Bank have been suspended.

While the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and other Arab countries support the Palestinians, the Trump administration has persuaded the two countries not to let that conflict keep them from having normal relations with Israel.

As the signing ceremony was taking place at the White House, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired two rockets into Israel.

Israel responded by hitting what it said were Hamas military targets in Gaza.

The Palestinians are opposed to the agreements, viewing them as a betrayal of their cause.