In another step toward a truce with the Palestinians, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is slated to meet with former PA security minister and senior Fatah leader Muhammad Dahlan on Saturday evening to discuss the Palestinian Authority's request for security control over certain West Bank towns. The defense establishment has already expressed its inclination to consent to such applications, yet has stressed that the process would be gradual and would depend of the maintenance of quiet in the areas, Army Radio reported. In a major policy reversal after more than four years of fighting, IDF Chief of General Staff Moshe Ya'alon ordered the army on Friday to reduce offensive operations in the Gaza Strip to a minimum in order to enable PA forces to carry out their mission. According to an Israel Radio report, the IDF will halt all offensive missions in areas where Palestinian policemen have deployed to prevent the launchings of Kassam rockets and mortar shells at southern Israel and Gaza settlements.