Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon told the army today to suspend most offensive actions against Palestinian targets after Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat reissued a ceasefire order, Israeli sources said.
Mr Sharon has told the Israeli army to stop all initiated actions in the West Bank and Gaza following Mr Arafat's announcement, one source said.
The sources said Mr Sharon's order covered incursions into Palestinian areas and killings of Palestinian activists who Israel accuses of planning attacks on Israeli targets.
Mr Sharon's order was aimed at testing Arafat's commitment to ending the violence, the source said.