Israeli and Palestinian negotiators pursued peace talks in Egypt today, and there was a faint glimmer of hope they could strike a deal before an Israeli election that looks likely to bring the right-wing leader, Mr Ariel Sharon to power.
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"The atmosphere is not negative and the discussions on refugees and land, including Jerusalem, are taking place in a very serious and detailed manner," Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said.
Israeli cabinet minister and negotiator Mr Amnon Lipkin-Shahak said the Palestinians had sent a delegation comprehensive enough for substantive discussions.
"If it is possible to reach an agreement on the central issues, I think it would be achieving something very important for everything that happens after the election," he said.
But he said he doubted the negotiators could overcome gaps on crucial issues before Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak faces re-election in a February 6th vote.
The negotiators have split into two committees, one dealing with borders, Jerusalem and security, and the other with Palestinian refugees, as agreed at the first round of talks in Taba yesterday night.
In an apparent show of goodwill, Israel opened its borders with the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to 16,000 Palestinians granted Israeli work permits last month.
The travel ban was eased despite a roadside bomb attack on an Israeli tank that wounded a soldier near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim in Gaza, the latest violence in 16 weeks of unrest in which at least 368 people have died, most of them Palestinians.
Reuters