Israel has agreed in principle to stop the targeted killings of Palestinian terrorists in Gaza and the West Bank as long as President Abbas? negotiated informal ceasefire with Palestinian terrorist organizations continues. The targeted killings of suspected terrorists was just one of the topics of discussion in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt between Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President Mahmoud Abbas.

While the President Abbas and Prime Minister Sharon met in Sharm el-Sheikh perhaps what is more striking is who is at the Summit and who is missing. Egypt has returned to the table as the Middle East Peace broker, and the United States has taken a behind the scenes role wanting to be more cautious. This last week Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to the Middle East and met with both sides, offering encouragement and limited financial aid and departed before the big show. As she was departing, she named Lt. General William Ward to be the Security Coordinator to assist the Palestinians improve their security. While Ward has no experience with the Palestinians or the Israelis, he has experience serving in the US Embassy in Cairo. The Roadmap to peace in the region now rests in the hands of President Mubarak.