US-mediated talks aimed at forging an Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire ended without result today but another meeting was expected soon, despite the third suicide bombing in as many days.
US officials have put pressure on the adversaries to show restraint and give the ceasefire mission of Washington's Middle East envoy Mr Anthony Zinni a chance to bear fruit.
Israel has said that if a truce is reached it will lift its travel ban on Palestinian President Mr Yasser Arafat to allow him to have talks with US Vice President Dick Cheney, and to attend an Arab summit next week in Beirut devoted to a Saudi-initiated Middle East peace plan.
But the White House said today Mr Arafat had not yet fulfilled conditions to meet Mr Cheney, citing continued Palestinian assaults on Israelis.
Today’s talks took place at a secret location in Israel's biggest city Tel Aviv as another Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up after the taxi he was in was halted at an Israeli army checkpoint in the occupied West Bank, injuring a soldier.
An Israeli security source said the talks were held at the Americans' behest, despite Israeli reluctance given the continued Palestinian terrorist attacks. He said Israel did agree to another meeting early next week.
A senior Palestinian security source said that clashing Palestinian and Israeli conceptions of the truce were discussed and there will be further similar meetings in coming days.
The talks were held after an meeting this morning between Mr Zinni and Mr Yasser Arafat at the Palestinian president's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Palestinian negotiator said after the Ramallah session that Israel had attached unacceptable conditions for putting into action a ceasefire plan charted in June 2001 by US CIA Director Mr George Tenet.