The Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers plan to hold talks today ahead of a meeting with President Bush next week to push forward a US-backed Middle East peace plan.
Israeli diplomatic sources confirmed the meeting between Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and Israel's Mr Ariel Sharon. Earlier, the White House announced both men would meet Mr Bush in Jordan when he visits Egypt, Jordan and Qatar from June 2nd to 5th.
In his first Israeli newspaper interview since taking office, Mr Abbas said he would not settle for a temporary ceasefire by militants in a 32-month-old uprising for Palestinian statehood.
Early today, a Palestinian militant (20) was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Jenin, Palestinian medics and military sources said.
Yesterday Palestinian sources said Israeli forces shot dead a member of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat's Force 17 security unit as he sat in his car. Israeli security officials denied any connection with the killing in the West Bank city of Ramallah.