Palestinians making an effort, says Israel

ISRAEL yesterday welcomed a temporary truce declared by Palestinian militants and promised to hold its fire in return, but demanded that the Palestinian Authority eventually dismantle the armed groups.

The 13 main Palestinian militant groups announced on Thursday they would halt attacks on Israel for the rest of the year, so far the longest period of promised calm and a success for Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Negotiating with the militants, rather than confronting them, is a cornerstone of Mr Abbas's policies. A ceasefire would also help Israel withdraw this summer from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements without the threat of Palestinian fire in what is expected to be a complicated operation accompanied by fierce Jewish settler resistance.