Israel said today it was sending troop reinforcements into Palestinian areas and cleared the way for a call-up of army reservists amid fears of a new wave of suicide bombings.
In an apparent effort to ease a war of words with Syria over an Israeli air raid near Damascus, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said Israel did not want to escalate tensions but would continue to insist that militants be barred from operating out of Syria.
Syria's ambassador to Spain warned Damascus could respond militarily if Israel launched more attacks. Later an official source in Syria sought to ease tensions, calling the envoy's comments his "personal understanding of the official position".
Tensions have been simmering since the Israeli air strike on what it said was a training camp for Palestinian militants near Damascus on Sunday, one day after a Palestinian suicide bombing which killed 19 people in the Israeli city of Haifa.
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet announced no major decisions after its first meeting since the suicide bombing.
A cabinet statement said Mr Mofaz told ministers he had "ordered an immediate reinforcement of Israeli troops, regular and reserves" in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and suggested further call-ups would be considered.