Palestinian militant group Hamas today warned that a ceasefire would unravel unless Israel freed thousands of prisoners.
Up to 8,000 Palestinians have been arrested since an uprising for independence began in September 2000. Israel has said it will release hundreds of prisoners but will not free anyone accused of being behind suicide bombings and ambush attacks.
However, Hamas founder and spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, warned yesterday militants could not stick to the truce unless jailed comrades were freed. "Our patience has its limits. Israeli practices [including] the issue of the prisoners, are a red line that can never be bypassed in any way or form," he said.
Israel dismissed conditions set by militant groups, saying it would deal only with Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority.
The truce was declared by Palestinian militant groups at the end of June, but many Palestinians think Mr Abbas has failed to win enough back from Israel in return.
Adding to tensions over the prisoner issue, Palestinian witnesses said Israeli soldiers had detained three Palestinian boys, aged 10 and 11, playing outside a flashpoint Jewish settlement in the West Bank.
A military source said the boys were "under investigation for actions hostile to Israeli military forces".