Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are likely to meet next week in the West Bank city of Jericho, Mr Olmert's office said today.
"It's looking more likely that it will be in Jericho," said Olmert spokeswoman Miri Eisin. "It would be the first meeting between a Palestinian president and an Israeli prime minister in Palestinian Authority-ruled areas."
At a news conference yesterday, Mr Abbas said the meeting would take place on June 7th. Ms Eisin said no date has been set yet.
Mr Abbas hopes to broker a new ceasefire whereby Gaza militants would halt cross-border rocket attacks and Israel would stop its bombing campaign in the coastal strip.
Hamas has insisted that any ceasefire include the occupied West Bank, and Mr Olmert has so far rebuffed the idea.
Mr Abbas, head of the Fatah faction that formed a unity government with Hamas two months ago, last met the Israeli leader on April 15th as part of US-brokered talks that were supposed to take place every two weeks.
The dialogue has been delayed by Palestinian internal violence, Israeli-Palestinian fighting and Olmert's uncertain political future following an inquiry critical of his handling of last year's costly Lebanon war.
Mr Olmert's office said Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert would discuss the outlines of a future Palestinian state but not final status issues such as Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and borders.
Ms Eisin said holding the upcoming meeting in Jericho showed good faith between the parties.