Security chiefs representing Israel and the Palestinian Authority have resumed talks after a gap of two weeks in an effort to bring an end to the daily clashes which have caused scores of deaths and plunged the Middle East into crisis.
Palestinian Maj-Gen AbdelRazek al-Majaydeh held talks in the Gaza Strip with the chief of Israel's southern command, MajGen Yom-Tov Samia. The Israeli army said the aim of the meeting was to lower the level of friction and violence.
A Palestinian spokesman said the delegations would discuss the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers and tanks from the entrances to Palestinian towns.
Riot-torn areas in the Palestinian territories were reported relatively calm yesterday, possibly assisted by inclement weather. An Israeli spokesman said that if the calm continued, soldiers would be pulled back.
The security meetings were announced after reports that President Clinton was considering inviting the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, and the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, to meet him separately in Washington.
It is understood Mr Arafat may go to Washington early next month, although the Hamas movement warned him not to.
President Clinton has said that be believes "Chairman Arafat can dramatically reduce the level of violence". Speaking at the White House yesterday, Mr Clinton said that both sides must do more to live up to the Sharm al-Sheikh summit commitments.
A bomb exploded near an Israeli army convoy on a roadside in the southern Gaza Strip yesterday. Shots were also fired at the convoy but there no reports of injuries. Thousands of Palestinians marched through the Gaza Strip to attend the funeral of a 16-year Palestinian who was shot dead in clashes on Tuesday. Also in Gaza, minor clashes between protesters and Israeli soldiers were reported at Khan Yunis, with seven Palestinians injured by rubber bullets.
Mr Barak has been engaged in coalition talks with the right-wing Likud party led by Gen Ariel Sharon, a hate-figure to Palestinian militants. The Prime Minister sought to allay Palestinian fears in a radio interview yesterday.
Interfax news agency said Russia was sending its special envoy, the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Vasily Sredin, to a number of Arab countries next week.
Reuters adds: Palestinian gunmen opened fire on the Gilo Jewish settlement on the outskirts of Jerusalem, police said. No injuries were reported.