Palestinian security forces took up positions in northern Gaza today under orders from President Mahmoud Abbas to curb militant attacks as part of his plan to end bloodshed and revive peacemaking.
The deployment of hundreds of paramilitary police, preceded by ceasefire talks between Mr Abbas and militants and a sharp drop in violence in Gaza, was the clearest sign of renewed security cooperation with Israel in more than four years of fighting.
"Talks with Hamas are positive and are continuing," Mr Abbas's office said in a statement, referring to the powerful Islamic group that says it will only agree to a truce if Israel ceases all military activity in Gaza.
Wearing berets and carrying assault rifles, Palestinian security men entered the border towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and other parts of northern Gaza to prevent rocket and mortar bomb attacks on Jewish settlements and southern Israel.
Mr Abbas discussed with militant leaders the need for restraint to help ensure the implentation of Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon's plan to pull Jewish settlers out of Gaza this year - a step Israel says it will not take "under fire".
Senior Islamic Jihad leader Mohammed al-Hindi said Israel would have to agree to the group's conditions, such as stopping attacks and raids and freeing Palestinian prisoners, before it would consider halting attacks against Israelis.
In a sign that Mr Abbas's efforts could be working, militants have not launched a rocket or mortar bomb in Gaza since Tuesday. "The factions are waiting to see what Abbas has (to offer)," said a spokesman for the militant Popular Resistance Committees, also linking the lull to the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which ends on Sunday.
Mr Sharon, who briefly broke off contacts with the new Palestinian leadership after a Gaza attack killed six Israelis last week, sent holiday greetings to Mr Abbas.
"Abbas responded by saying he appreciated Sharon's kind wishes and urged him to work together to achieve peace for the Palestinians and the Israelis," Palestinian cabinet minister Mr Saeb Erekat said.