‘Israel lays ground for 3rd intifadah’

Dahlan, who is responsible for coordinating the Gaza pullout, said Israeli answers are needed on key issues, including crossing points into and out of Gaza, the possibility of an open border with Egypt, "safe passage" between Gaza and the West Bank and the reopening of Gaza's airport once Israel pulls out this summer.

If satisfactory responses are not given, Israel's pullout from Gaza "will be a repackaging of the occupation, but the occupation will remain," Dahlan told reporters in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

'A race against time'

Dahlan said Palestinian security forces would "exert maximum efforts" to ensure calm during the Israeli withdrawal but urged the international community to provide support.

"The international community keeps offering us advice," he said. "What proposals are they putting forth to rebuild our security forces? Are the forces supposed to work without equipment?"

Dahlan also criticized Israel for continuing to expand settlements in the West Bank while preparing to quit Gaza, for moving to cut off east Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank and for pressing ahead with its contentious West Bank separation barrier.

"What Israel is really doing is creating the conditions for a third uprising to take place," he said.

'Not a good sign'

Dahlan said the Gaza pullout plan could pave the way for a resumption of peace talks.

However, he said Israel's failure to provide key information such as whether or not it plans to destroy houses evacuated by settlers is hindering Palestinian efforts to prepare for the future.

"We are in a race against time," he said. "The Israelis are wasting this opportunity.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Israel wants to coordinate the withdrawal, but remains concerned about the Palestinians' ability to rein in terrorists, especially after a wave of violence in recent days.

"What we've seen over the last few day with terrorist groups firing rockets into Israel from Gaza is not a good sign," he said. "The Palestinians have to play their part."

Terror groups say they’re committed to lull

Meanwhile, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas met with Palestinian factions’ representatives in Gaza to discuss the growing tensions in Gaza. During the session, Abbas stressed the need to abide by intra-Palestinian understandings to maintain a lull in violence.

The Palestinian leader provided an account of his recent meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush and promised to bring back the elections law for re-discussion at the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Meanwhile, Hamas representatives noted they do not accept the decision to postpone the upcoming general elections.

Following the meeting, Palestinian sources in Gaza said Abbas told Palestinian groups they must maintain the lull and not play into Israel’s hands. The representatives reportedly said they understood Abbas’ demands regarding the security situation and added they are still committed to previous understandings.

Still, the groups said they maintain the right to respond to any case of Israeli aggression and the lull would not prevent them from responding to perceived Israeli violations.