The Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz both plan to meet Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas next week, Israeli diplomatic sources said this morning.
However, a senior Palestinian security official said he was unaware of any planned meetings.
The talks, if they take place, could coincide with a regional visit by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is scheduled to arrive later this week to promote a staged peace plan that calls for a Palestinian state by 2005.
Mr Mofaz's meeting with Mr Abbas would include Palestinian minister in charge of internal security Mohammed Dahlan, the diplomatic sources said.
Mr Abbas said yesterday he was seeking a meeting with Sharon to discuss the US-backed plan known as the "road map," which stipulates a freeze in Jewish settlement expansion and an end to violence in the 31-month Palestinian uprising.
Palestinians have accepted the road map, but Israel has listed 15 reservations, saying any Israeli confidence-building measures would be linked to a crackdown on militants by Abbas.
US Assistant Secretary of State William Burns is to meet with Mr Abbas today to lay the groundwork for Powell's visit.