ISRAEL WAITS TO DEFEND ITSELF, WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES

Well, Sharon backed off his threats to defend Israel and allowed Abbas to spout hot air instead of taking action. Oh yeah, there's been more terror in Gaza.

Wary Israel Grants Abbas More Time - Herb Keinon
Wary of PA promises, Israel responded unenthusiastically to Abbas's Monday directive to stop terrorist attacks, but at the same time gave him additional time to prove himself. Prime Minister Sharon told visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutake Machimura on Monday that while Israel understands the PA leadership is facing a tough situation, "Israel will not agree to pay in lives for Abu Mazen's difficulties." (Jerusalem Post)

Abbas Orders Forces to Block Rocket Attacks; IDF: No Activity Yet - Arnon Regular, Aluf Benn and Amos Harel
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas issued orders for Palestinian security services in Gaza to deploy in the area from which rockets and mortars are launched at Israeli targets. However, as of Monday night, the IDF had not spotted any activity indicating that the Palestinian security forces are moving into new positions. The army is preparing a wide-scale operation into the three main areas from which rockets are launched - Khan Yunis, Jabalya, and Beit Lahia-Beit Hanun - if the Palestinians do not take action. Israeli government sources are doubtful that Abbas will manage to deploy PA forces in all these areas. (Ha'aretz)

Aksa Martyrs Brigades Rejects Abbas's Offer to Join PA Security Forces - Khaled Abu Toameh
Abbas has issued instructions to recruit gunmen belonging to Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, into the PA security forces. "These men will play a role in building the PA and its institutions," he said, referring to scores of Fatah gunmen wanted by Israel for their involvement in terrorism. However, a spokesman for the Aksa Martyrs Brigades in Nablus rejected the offer, saying his men would continue to fight against Israel. Top members of the Aksa Martyrs Brigades in the Gaza Strip criticized Abbas's decision to prevent attacks against Israel. In Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Mushir al-Masri said his movement would not comply with the new orders. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Islamic Jihad also rejected the call to halt attacks. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian Rocket Fire Continues
On Tuesday morning, Palestinian terrorists fired three more Kassam rockets at Sderot in the western Negev. There were no casualties. (Ha'aretz)

Gush Katif bomber kills Shin Bet agent; 7 wounded By MARGOT DUDKEVITCH
A large explosion killed a Shin Bet official, Oded Sharon, 33, from Gan Yavne. Sharon, a field coordinator, left behind a wife and three children. The blast also wounded seven soldiers and Shin Bet officers near the Gush Katif junction in the central Gaza Strip shortly before 7:00 p.m. Tuesday night. The explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who blew up near security forces deployed at the junction.