BEIJING, Feb. 18 -- Israel has ordered a halt to the demolition of homes of family members of Palestinian militants. The turnaround is part of a deal hammered out by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

    Israeli security sources said the decision followed a review that found destroying homes only fueled the revolt in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

    Human rights groups say the Jewish state has bulldozed nearly 700 Palestinian houses since the outbreak of intensified violence in September 2000. Four thousand people have been left homeless.

(Source: CCTV.com)