By Mohammed Assadi

RAMALLAH, West Bank, July 19 (Reuters) - Since Israel took him off its wanted list, senior Palestinian militant Kamel Ghannam has been trying to get to know his children.

Mohammad, his 3-year-old son and Malaak, his 18-month-old daughter, greeted Ghannam as a stranger when he met them this week after Israel agreed to stop hunting dozens of militants loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas.

"I did not see them for five months even though they live very close," said Ghannam, 30, who had been on the run for the past five years. "Each time I see them, they look bigger and different."

Israel made the deal to stop pursuing 178 militants from al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of Abbas's Fatah group, and also plans to free 256 Palestinians on Friday to bolster Abbas following the takeover of Gaza by Hamas Islamists last month.

During a seven-year-old Palestinian uprising, Israeli forces have frequently carried out raids to kill or detain militants from al-Aqsa, which has carried out suicide bombings and shooting attacks to kill Israelis.

Some Israelis have criticised the decision to stop hunting the al-Aqsa fugitives, but there is general support in the Jewish state for moves to bolster Abbas.

For Minwer al-Aqra, another pardoned militant who was on the run for about six years, going to cafes and restaurants or taking the children to playgrounds were almost taboo. The 32-year old had not seen his son and daughter for four years.

"My kids were calling their uncle, 'Daddy,'" he said. "I was sneaking at night to see them, like a thief. Now I can see them, dine in a restaurant with family, friends and relatives".

Monif al-Rimawa, another al-Aqsa militant whose name was also removed from Israel's wanted list, got married in 2006 but only saw his wife twice since then, and very briefly.

"There was a constant fear," he said. "Is the place safe? Will the Israelis come over and kill me? I hope we reach a final deal to serve our people and homeland."

Rimawa also said he hoped to finish a degree in psychology.

Under the Israeli deal, militants removed from the wanted lists are to hand over their guns and return to work in security services and civil institutions. They are also not allowed to leave areas under full Palestinian security control.

"We are fully committed to the agreement," said Ghannam.

Many militants loyal to Abbas said the deal eliminated the constant fear of being killed or arrested by Israeli troops.

"Our experience taught us not to trust them but we will give it a chance," said Nasim al-Ahmad, another militant.

(Additional reporting by Haitham Tamimi in Hebron and Adam Entous in Jerusalem)

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