Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has ordered the release of Islamic insurgents accused of helping plan a February 2005 suicide bombing in Israel.

PA officials said Abbas ordered the release of the insurgents held in the West Bank in an effort to reconcile with the Islamic opposition. They said at least four insurgents were expected to be freed over the weekend.

The PA imprisoned the insurgents days after the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, in which five people were killed. The detainees were members of the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad, which claimed responsibility for the strike.

Officials said Abbas has refused appeals from some of his aides to force Hamas and Jihad to honor the PA ceasefire with Israel. They said Abbas has been alarmed by a spate of attacks against PA officials and installations.

Jihad spokesman Khaled Batash said the PA agreed to release all nine operatives held in connection with the Tel Aviv suicide bombing. Batash said the Jihad detainees must remain in Jericho, which is under PA control.

Officials said the PA has come under pressure from the Islamic opposition and the ruling Fatah movement. They said the result could be an outbreak of a new round of Palestinian suicide strikes and massive Israeli retaliation.

“Israel’s current actions are paving the way for a third uprising,” Civil Affairs Minister Mohammed Dahlan, a former Gaza security chief, said.

In Gaza City, Palestinian insurgents fired toward the home of security commander Brig. Gen. Rashid Abu Shback over the weekend. Abu Shback heads the Preventive Security Apparatus, regarded as the most powerful security agency in the Gaza Strip and loyal to Dahlan

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