September 23, 1995
Web posted at: 9:55 a.m. EDT (1355 GMT)
From Correspondent Walter Rodgers
TABA, Egypt (CNN) -- They fell short again, Friday, by a few hours, racing against sunset and the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. But Israeli and Palestinian negotiators sat down at the table again late Saturday to try to conclude an expanded peace agreement.
The negotiators predict they will initial a pact for expanded Palestinian autonomy in the West Bank. And they believe only a few more hours of talks will be necessary to do the job.
Israeli sources say the remaining problem deals with release of the more than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners still in Israeli jails. The negotiators are working to set up a commission to decide which prisoners will be freed and when.
Another snag is how to determine the city limits of Jericho. While already in Palestinian hands, still to be decided is how much larger Jericho will be after this second stage peace agreement is signed.
A major hurdle to an agreement was overcome in the last two days -- the final status of the city of Hebron. Israel has agreed that Hebron, with its population of 120,000 Arabs, will be run by Palestinians with one important exception -- the 450 Israeli settlers inside the city will still be protected by a reduced force of the Israeli army. A bypass road will be built, however, so that the Jewish settlers no longer pass through Palestinian neighborhoods inside the city.
Assuming an agreement is initiated Saturday night or Sunday morning, there are hopes it can be signed at the White House next Thursday. But a turbulent reaction is expected from both Israelis and Palestinians who oppose this agreement.
Already, the Hebron agreement has drawn ire. Friday, Palestinian youths threw rocks and bottles at Israeli soldiers stationed there.
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