US Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Cairo today that he "intends to meet" with Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat.
When he visits Jerusalem later in the week, Mr Powell said "I'm looking forward to conversations with the prime minister and I intend to meet with Chairman Arafat."
Earlier the White House said President George W Bush is still looking for results to his demand that Israel withdraw without delay from Palestinian areas.
Israeli troops and tanks withdrew today from two Palestinian towns, but invaded other areas of the West Bank, killing three Palestinian men in Dura, south of Hebron.
Two of the victims, named as Aref Sid-Ahmad and Naeif Sid-Ahmad, were killed by an Israeli rocket as they left a village mosque.
Meanwhile, dozens of gunmen in the Jenin refugee camp continued to put up fierce resistance in what was emerging as the deadliest battle of Israel's 12 day offensive.
"The president believes all parties still have responsibilities, [he is] still looking for results", White House spokesman Mr Ari Fleischer told reporters on the Air Force One flight that carried Mr Bush on a day trip to Connecticut.
"Israel's responsibilities were to withdraw from Palestinian areas and do so now", he said.
"Arab responsibilities were to exercise statesmanship, condemn terrorism, stop funding terrorists and to stop media incitement of what he called hatred against Jews", said Mr Fleischer.
The European Union also dismissed Israel's partial withdrawal from Palestinian areas and has demanded an immediate ceasefire.
"This is not what the international community has required", said a senior EU diplomat. "The international community has sought a full withdrawal and a ceasefire immediately. Immediately means immediately. This is only the beginning, it is not at all enough".
The European Parliament will attempt to agree a resolution on an EU response to Israel this evening for a vote tomorrow, although the resolution is not binding on EU governments.
Suspension of Israel's preferred trade status would carry weight as the EU accounts for some 40 per cent of Israeli trade.
However, diplomats said the EU was unlikely to use this to put pressure on Israel because several states - notably Britain, Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark - would not support it.