Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to meet to try to end a lengthy standoff at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.
Bethlehem mayor Mr Hanna Nasser said Israeli and Palestinian officials would meet in the morning for the first direct talks since the church standoff began three weeks ago.
Dozens of armed Palestinians took refuge in the sanctuary in the town of Jesus's birth on April 2nd after Israeli forces reoccupied Bethlehem as part of a West Bank offensive unleashed after suicide bombings that killed scores of Israelis.
Israel has said it will keep up its siege of the church until wanted militants inside surrender to face trial in Israel or exile. Palestinians have previously rejected these terms.
"These are exploratory talks. I hope they will lead to a breakthrough," Mr Nasser said.
About 200 clerics, church workers and Palestinian officials and police have been stranded inside the church, one of Christianity's holiest sites, in worsening conditions.
PA