Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has ordered security forces to prevent Palestinian militant attacks on Israelis, a cabinet minister said.
"Abu Mazen (Mr Abbas) and the cabinet gave clear instructions to the security chiefs to prevent all kinds of violence, including attacks against Israel," minister without portfolio Mr Qadoura Fares said.
Militants have so far defied Mr Abbas's calls for an end to a four-year-old armed uprising in order to allow talks on statehood.
Israel cut ties last week after an attack that killed six Israelis. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the army yesterday it could take any action needed "to stop terror".
But Israeli officials said today that any major action would be delayed to give Mr Abbas a chance to try to stop attacks.
Mr Abbas is due to visit Gaza this week for a new attempt to win over militants to a truce that could strengthen prospects for talks on Palestinian statehood on land captured by Israel in the 1967 Middle East war.
Bloodshed in Gaza has weighed on new optimism for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after Mr Abbas succeeded late President Yasser Arafat.