The Israeli security cabinet headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided unanimously on Wednesday to renew contacts with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) after the latter took concrete steps to curb violence.

The cabinet decided during a meeting that security officials from both sides will meet Wednesday evening to discuss ways of halting Palestinian Qassam rocket attacks.

The cabinet also instructed the Israel Defense Forces to plan for a large-scale operation in the Gaza Strip should the Qassam rockets be fired anew on Sderot and Israeli settlements in Gaza, Israel Radio reported.

Sharon froze all contacts with the PNA last week after a Palestinian attack on the Karni crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip killed six Israeli civilians.

Israel has threatened to carry out a major reprisal operation inGaza but has so far held off to give Abbas time to take action against militants.

Officials attending the meeting said the decision meant no military action would immediately be taken.

Earlier Wednesday, Palestinian officials said Palestinian forceswould soon be deployed near the Gaza border with Israel to prevent rocket attacks.

Meanwhile, newly-elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas held secret talks with leaders of some militant groups, mainly Hamas andthe Islamic Jihad (Holy War), in Gaza City on Tuesday night in order to dissuade them from anti-Israeli attacks.

Source: Xinhua