Israel settlement expansion begins as government delays implementation of peace deal

Israeli workers started expanding a Jewish settlement in Korait Arba in the district of Galilee in the West Bank on the day on which the start of implementation of the Wye agreement with the Palestinians was to take place.

The expansion comprises building 100 new hosing units, which were authorized by the Israeli prime minister.

The Wye agreement also was delayed, as it has not been ratified by the Israeli Knesset or Cabinet, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's media advisor indicated. The Israeli delay was agreed to by Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, whose Cabinet has already approved the agreement, the statement said. The Palestinians will begin implementing their responsibilities as scheduled. US State Department Spokesman James Rubin said today "We anticipate both parties to implement the agreement in the time line specified in the agreement."

The settlement expansion comes one day after protests over the start of work on a new settlement in East Jerusalem.

On the other hand, Israel said it will terminate its closure of the Palestinian areas to allow nearly 80,000 Palestinian laborers into Israel.