Hamas has agreed in principle to halt attacks on Israelis for three months but is seeking support from other armed groups before a formal announcement, a leader of Islamic Jihad group said today.

Israel killed two Hamas attackers in the Gaza Strip and foiled a planned Palestinian bombing today, but there were growing indications that Hamas and other militant groups will agree soon to a three month ceasefire.

Police said today that a major terrorist attack had been averted in a densely populated area of central Israel.