Israel signalled today it could ease back military operations against Palestinian militants if they halted attacks, but the guerrillas said only a full Israeli ceasefire could stop fighting.
Both sides held out hope of a joint truce many believe could, under new Palestinian President Mr Mahmoud Abbas, pave the way for a revival of the peace process. But neither seemed ready to commit itself to formally halt operations.
Under orders from Mr Abbas, the moderate Palestinian President elected on January 9th to succeed Yasser Arafat, hundreds of Palestinian security officers deployed yesterday in northern Gaza to end rocket attacks on Israeli towns and settlements.
More Palestinian security forces were expected to be posted in Gaza, in southern areas, in the coming days. But militants have not launched any attacks on Israel since Tuesday, after repeated calls from Mr Abbas and Israeli threats to launch a large-scale military operation in Gaza if the attacks were not halted.
Mr Giora Eiland, the head of Israel's National Security Council, told Israel Radio today the latest lull in violence and Mr Abbas's moves were "positive signs".
When asked whether Israel could agree to halt raids into Palestinian territory if Abbas achieved a truce with militants, Mr Eiland replied: "I would say in simple language that we would respond to quiet. If there is no reason to carry out a certain operation, we wouldn't do so."
Mr Eiland said he also expected Abbas to disarm militants, since a ceasefire would be only temporary. "Israel is not looking for a Palestinian civil war, but expects to see real change ... real action to halt terrorist capabilities," Mr Eiland said.