http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/1/26/latest/20978Israelhal&sec=latest<snip>
"Israel has stopped targeting Palestinian militants for death, according to Israeli security officials, fulfilling a key Palestinian demand for a truce to end four years of violence.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel has informed the Palestinians of their decision. It came after generals from the two sides met Tuesday to plan deployment of Palestinian police in central and southern Gaza, to prevent militants from attacking Israelis.
Since he took office earlier this month, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has been negotiating with militant groups about a truce declaration. In return, the militants are demanding that Israel stop its military operations and halt its killing of militant leaders."
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"Israel has killed dozens of suspected Palestinian militants in targeted raids during four years of conflict, many in helicopter missile strikes as well as bombings and ambushes.
Israel defended the practice by saying that it was preventing further attacks by militants already guilty of planning and initiating violence. Human rights groups criticized the practice as summary execution without trial, and Palestinians charged that Israel was killing its leaders.
Many bystanders have also been killed in attacks aimed at militant leaders."