Israel has allowed Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat to meet four senior advisers at his besieged headquarters, Israeli officials said.
Mr Arafat has been confined to a few rooms of his headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah by Israeli forces since March 29th.
However, Israel is under growing US pressure to ease the restrictions as part of a renewed ceasefire effort led by Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell, who is to arrive in the region later this week.
Last week, US envoy to the region Mr Anthony Zinni was permitted to meet Mr Arafat at the Ramallah compound. At the time, Israel denied a Palestinian request that Mr Arafat be allowed to consult with his advisers at the headquarters.
An adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon said Israel's security cabinet, which met late last night, decided to permit the meeting to assist US ceasefire efforts.
He said: "It's a one-time thing . . . it doesn't change the siege or his isolation".
AFP