Israel has agreed to curb “track-and-kill” operations against Palestinian militants in a deal struck with U.S. officials to help them salvage a new peace plan torn by violence, security sources said on Wednesday. After more than 50 people were killed in a rash of attacks and counter-attacks last week, Washington demanded restraint to enable confidence-building steps required of each side by the “road map” plan launched by President George W. Bush on June 4. Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas fell short of coaxing a ceasefire from militants in another bid on Tuesday. Palestinian gunmen killed an Israeli girl in a car near the West Bank afterwards, feeding the cycle of violence. But security sources said Israel would now target only militants identified as likely to carry out a suicide bombing or other attack imminently, not top political figures. Right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon sanctioned a helicopter missile strike on Hamas political leader Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi on June 10. Rantissi survived, but the assassination attempt plunged U.S.-sponsored peacemaking into turmoil. Full Story
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