Israel offers withdrawal of only 10% from West Bank

Israeli and the Palestinian negotiators have resumed discussions. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) heads the Palestinian delegation, while the Israeli delegation is headed by Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai.

They tackled the US suggestions of an Israeli withdrawal from 13% from the West Bank. The Palestinian authority had previously agreed to the US suggestion, saying it represents the minimum to which the Palestinians could agree, while the proposal was refused by the Israel side.

Palestinian sources confirmed to ArabicNews.com that the Israeli delegation offered a withdrawal from 10% of the West Bank, on a condition that an additional 3% will be placed under Palestinian - Israeli joint administration.

Nabil Shaath, Palestinian minister of planning and international cooperation, said, "We want the Israeli delegation to inform us of Israeli acceptance of the American initiative, which is the minimum limit of our demand."

The two met on Sunday after being urged by the US for face to face meetings that had stopped as a result of Palestinian frustration with Israel's position on the peace talks.