Israelis, Palestinians agree on safe passage, port Building

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators reached on Monday an agreement allowing Palestinians to move more freely between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank starting in October, when work on a port in Gaza City will also begin.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said "We reached a deal with the Israelis on the harbor and safe passage, but there are still some hurdles regarding other issues such as the release of Palestinian prisoners and a timetable for an Israeli withdrawal from parts of the West Bank."

Talks between Palestinians and Israelis which resumed after a long suspension are stalled over Israel's refusal to release Palestinian prisoners and insistence on stretching out the West Bank withdrawal into next year. The Palestinians urged the Israelis to honor their peace commitments and implement as soon as possible the Wye River accords.