Israel insisted today that Palestinian attacks stop for seven days before it will implement the truce-to-talks plan that the US Middle East envoy aims to revive on a renewed mission this week.
But it held out a possible easing of its blockade on Palestinians after a drop in the number of attacks on Israelis since Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, under heavy international pressure, called for them to stop two weeks ago.
Israeli forces have killed 14 Palestinians since Mr Arafat's appeal. Six others died in clashes between Palestinian security forces and militants.
Retired US Marine Corps General Anthony Zinni, who left the region in mid-December during one of the bloodiest spells of the 15-month-old Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, is due back tomorrow for a four-day visit.
Mr Ariel Sharon's office said he had instructed Israeli forces to ease their encirclement of Palestinian towns. But he reaffirmed a ban on Mr Arafat's leaving his Ramallah headquarters until he arrests the killers of an Israeli cabinet minister.
Palestinians said there had been no lifting of crippling blockades they describe as collective punishment. Israel says the measures help prevent attackers from reaching their targets.