Palestinian forces are being deployed across northern Gaza today in a bid to curb attacks against Israel as part of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's plan to halt violence and renew peace talks.
Palestinian security officials said hundreds of paramilitary policemen were taking up positions in the northern Gaza towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and adjacent fields and orchards to prevent rocket and mortar bomb attacks by militants.
Palestinian officials said about 1,000 police would be positioned in the areas of northern Gaza, where militants have fired dozens of rockets at illegal Israeli settlements.
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz approved the deployment.
However, violence continued with two 13-year-old Palestinians killed by the Israeli military yesterday.