RAMALLAH, West Bank - Mahmoud Abbas was sworn in as Palestinian Authority president on Saturday and started his job facing two crises: Israel cut contacts with him until he reins in militants and two top election officials resigned amid allegations of irregularities in the vote that brought Abbas to power.

In the Gaza Strip, six Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in two separate incidents Saturday, two days after Palestinian militants killed six Israeli civilians at a Gaza cargo crossing. The renewed violence dampened expectations - fanned by the election victory of the moderate Abbas - that the two sides could break out of their deadlock after more than four years of fighting.

In his inaugural speech in Ramallah, Abbas said he extends his hand in peace to Israel, called for a cease-fire and said he was committed to the U.S.-backed "road map" peace plan.

However, he made no direct mention of how he would deal with the militants - the most pressing item on his agenda. Abbas said only that he would enforce the rule of law and "deepen the dialogue" with various Palestinian factions, an apparent reference to his attempt to negotiate a cease-fire with militants.

Abbas did not refer to Israel's decision to suspend contacts until he takes action against the armed groups. Israel announced the boycott Friday, in response to the attack on the Gaza crossing, with one Israeli official saying the gunmen had apparently set out from a Palestinian Authority base.

Israeli officials welcomed Abbas' call to end violence but said he must now translate that into action.

Abbas struck a largely conciliatory tone Saturday, saying Israelis and Palestinians are "destined to live side by side and to share this land." He condemned all violence, including the Gaza attack.

He called on Israel to halt military operations, including targeted killings of wanted Palestinians. "We are seeking a mutual cease-fire to end this cycle of violence," he said.

He said the Palestinians are ready to meet their obligations spelled out in the road map, and that Israel must do the same, including halting Jewish settlement construction in the West Bank and Gaza.

However, the road map also calls on the Palestinians to disarm militants, a step Abbas is unwilling to take. He has said he would try to persuade, but not coerce, the armed groups to halt attacks. After the Gaza crossing attack, Israel warned that Abbas is quickly running out of time.

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said Abbas offered an olive branch to the Israelis. "I hope they will have listened carefully and they will reconsider their position and come back to the negotiating table," Erekat told reporters.