Israel approves curfew-lifting plan

The Israeli government has approved a plan to lift daytime curfews in Palestinian areas that remain calm.

In a gradual easing of restrictions, the government also says it may allow up to 5,000 Palestinians to enter Israel to work.

In a sign of Israel's new policy, the army removed the curfew for longer periods than usual in four of the seven West Bank cities and towns it controls.

But curfews remain in place elsewhere, and Israel warned that any relaxation of restrictions must be matched by calm in the Palestinian areas.

"The curfew will be limited to the night-time - not during the daytime - which will enable people to move about freely inside the cities," said Sharon spokesman Raanan Gissin.

"We will continue easing those restrictions on a case by case basis in a given city," he said. "If we see we have less alerts, hot alerts, of suicide bombings, of course we will consider additional steps."

Sharon's Security Cabinet also said it was in favour of allowing 5,000 Palestinian workers to commute to Israel for jobs.

Defence Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said he would like to see the restrictions eased even more, but warned that Israel still faces the threat of suicide bombings.

"On my desk there are warnings about men and women suicide bombers," he said. "Today it is easier for the militants to find a suicide bomber than to find the explosives."

The army moved into Palestinian cities and towns and imposed the curfews after a pair of suicide bombings in Jerusalem last month killed 26 Israelis.