Today Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, will hold their second summit in five months. Mindful of the recent admonition of Condoleezza Rice, US secretary of state, to co-ordinate their steps on Israeli disengagement from Gaza, they will focus on ensuring a smooth withdrawal of Israeli troops. If nothing else, the recent increase in violent incidents in both the West Bank and Gaza should help cement the teetering ceasefire between Palestinians and Israelis.

For Mr Sharon, violent attacks against Israelis in these regions are further eroding public support for his decision to evacuate Gaza, a decision that once enjoyed the backing of nearly 70 per cent of the Israeli public and has now seen a sharp decline.