Israel, Palestinians Discuss Interim IssuesIn a meeting here on Wednesday, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat and his Israeli counterpart Oded Eran discussed interim issues such as Israel's further troop redeployment in the West Bank and the release of more Palestinian prisoners.The two sides discussed all interim issues, but no final agreement has been reached, Erekat said after the meeting. Israel was scheduled to conduct the third troop redeployment in the West Bank on Friday. But the Palestinian side has agreed to allow the redeployment delayed for two weeks as requested by Israel and Egypt. Under the Oslo accords signed in 1993, Israel has to transfer all the remaining West Bank territories, except some military zones and Jewish settlements, to the Palestinians in the third redeployment. Israel has so far handed over about 40 percent of the West Bank to the Palestinians. The Palestinian side has submitted a list of 270 Palestinian prisoners to Israel for release, but Israel has not taken its final decision on who will be released. In a goodwill gesture, Israel released three Palestinians on Monday. Till now, a total of 1,650 palestinians are still detained in Israeli jails, many of whom were jailed without trial. Erekat said all these issues will be discussed further when the two sides meet on Thursday, with the participation of U.S. officials. |
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