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Palestinian militant groups are denying they have reached a cease-fire deal with Israel, and say Wednesday's Israeli strikes make any such deal less likely.

Hamas officials say their organization, along with Islamic Jihad and Fatah are discussing the ceasefire with Palestinian officials, but have not yet reached an agreement. Hamas says the latest attacks do not help the situation.

Hamas' military wing vowed revenge for the attacks. Israeli troops killed two Hamas militants in Gaza hours before two Palestinians died in an Israeli helicopter strike. Israel says the airstrike was aimed at Hamas militants who were about to shell a Jewish settlement in Gaza.

Reacting to reports earlier Wednesday that a cease-fire had been reached, President Bush said he would believe it when he sees it. Mr. Bush added that groups like Hamas must be completely disbanded for there to be peace.

In other violence, Israeli security forces say they prevented a possible suicide bombing with the arrest near the West Bank of two Palestinians who were carrying a powerful explosive device.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.