State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the goal is to start serious discussions at the security level to make sure the cease-fire continues. Palestinian and Jewish settler argue, Hebron, West Bank Israel has responded to the relative quiet of the past days by partially easing its blockade of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to allow food, fuel and other supplies into Palestinian areas. Some Palestinian workers were allowed to go to jobs in an Israeli industrial zone in the Gaza Strip. Border crossings from Egypt to Gaza and Jordan to the West Bank were re-opened. However, Israeli forces continue to restrict Palestinian movement in and around towns and villages in the occupied territories and the ban on working in Israel remains in force.
Tensions remain high.
Armed Jewish settlers beat some Palestinians and set fire to several Palestinian buildings in villages in the Nablus area after a settler's baby was seriously hurt by stonethrowers Tuesday night. Thousands of settlers gathered in Jerusalem Wednesday night urging Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to strike at the Palestinians. One official called the remark obscene and said Mr. Sharon was trying to poison the atmosphere and sabotage international efforts to resume the peace process. Email this article to a friend.