Israeli and Palestinian officials met today to try to end the five-day siege of Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat's West Bank office.
Mr Arafat's isolation was eased when Israel allowed a Palestinian cabinet minister to enter the besieged office in Ramallah to brief him on the talks.
Israel says it will not withdraw until dozens of Palestinian security officials inside surrender. It accused them of involvement in terror attacks.
But Mr Arafat said he will not hand over any member of his entourage.
The meeting between Israeli military officials and Palestinian Cabinet minister Mr Saeb Erekat came a day after Israel halted the demolition of Mr Arafat's headquarters, reportedly following intense US pressure.
Israel insists that Arafat is not a target of the assault, but demands the surrender of everyone inside his office.
Mr Dore Gold, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon, said 38 Palestinians had turned themselves in, and "most of them" were released.
With the blockade now in its fifth day, Palestinian protests and international criticism intensified. Palestinians observed a commercial strike in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Palestinian leaders appealed to the Arab world for help.
The UN Security Council was to convene today to discuss the operation. European and Arab states have demanded Israel end its siege.
AP