The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and major Palestinian factions are close to a pact on terms for a ceasefire with Israel, which has been welcomed by Tel Aviv, reports Xinhua.

PNA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and major Palestinian factions, including the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) Movement, "are very close to reaching a national agreement which will be clear to the world", Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath told reporters.

"In practice, we have now a basis, on which we can reach an agreement with both Hamas and Jihad and all other parties, but reaching such an agreement would of course need more time," he said.

Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres immediately praised Abbas' peace efforts and called for resuming talks with Palestine.
 
"Abu Mazen (Abbas) has made enormous efforts against terrorism," Peres told Army Radio, but noted that "this does not signal that he has total control".

The agreement will include a ceasefire deal for the return to the peace process and a framework for the Palestinian political partnership, he said.

"We want to go to the other side (Israel) soon with a full confirmation and support of Palestinian factions. Once we agree on a ceasefire, we will be able to control it and avoid internal civil war," he said.

Meanwhile, Zeyad Abu Amer, dialogue coordinator between Palestinian factions and Abbas, said Palestinian factions agreed to halt attacks if Israel declares a halt to its military operations in Palestinian territory.

The factions demanded "an Israeli pullout of Palestinian cities, stopping incursions and assassinations, stopping the demolition of houses, stopping the arrest of Palestinians and releasing Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails," he said.

Abu Amer said Palestinian militant groups had initiated calmness for a few days "and they would go for this for some time to see if Israel is really ready to respond to the Palestinian demands."

In other developments, Israel's attorney general has approved resuming the construction of its West Bank barrier along a new route near the Jewish settlement of Ariel.

Israel has built one-third of its planned 600-km barrier, which it says would help keep the Palestinian suicide bombers away. The Palestinians oppose the barrier, calling it an attempt to grab more land.

Hamas condemned the resuming of barrier construction, said Mushir al-Masri, spokesman for the Hamas, without saying if the work would break ceasefire efforts.

Palestinian militants continued rocket volleys on Jewish settlements despite orders given by Abbas for ending attacks against Israel, Palestinian security sources said.