Palestinian boys, their hands symbolically chained, demand the freedom of fathers jailed by Israel

GAZA CITY, July 19 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – After parlays between the Israeli and Palestinian sides on the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails hit a cul-de-sac, a senior U.S. official stressed Israel has not done enough regarding Palestinian prisoner releases and should do more, an Israeli newspaper reported Saturday, July 19.

The American official underlined Israel must show flexibility on the subject of prisoners "with blood on their hands," in reference to prisoners Israel claims are responsible for killing its citizens, the daily Haaretz newspaper said.

Israel had decided last week to release just 300 of the estimated 6,000 Palestinians held in its jails, but not a single member of the Palestinian resistance groups Hamas or Islamic Jihad was among them.

The two biggest Palestinian resistance groups, and others, had recently declared a three-month freeze of anti-Israel attacks to pave the way for the implementation of the roadmap  peace plan.

Palestinian Minister of State for Security Affairs Mohammad Dahlan told Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz the move was a positive first step, but not enough.

Israeli government sources said Thursday, July 17, that between 40 to 60 Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists are now included on the list of some 400 Palestinian prisoners Israel is considering releasing, the Israeli daily added.

They said the Shin Bet has so far come up with a list of nearly 400 prisoners, but that the work of filtering those who can be released continues, and the number could grow.

On Wednesday, July 16, at least 1,500 Palestinian children took to the streets of Gaza Wednesday, July 16, to appeal for the release of their fathers, brothers and other Palestinians in Israeli jails.

The prisoners issue has proved to be the biggest obstacle to progress in the roadmap to date.

Abbas Criticized

The U.S. rare criticism for Israel comes as Hamas and Islamic Jihad criticized Abbas for planning a trip to the United States when Arafat is still confined to his Ramallah compound.

Abbas is set to meet and have lunch with U.S. President George W. Bush on July 25, in the first discussions the two to have in Washington.

The two groups also demanded that Abbas reject all American pressure to dismantle them and confiscate their weapons, the Israeli radio reported.

Abbas had previously said that he would not go abroad until Israel lifts the ban on the headquarters and movement of the Palestinian leader.

But a senior Palestinian official said Arafat agreed to the Washington visit after mediation by Egypt's intelligence director Omar Suleiman, reported the AFP.

The official said that Abbas is expected to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo before leaving for Washington.

Abbas-Sharon Meeting

In another development, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom told the New York Times Friday that Abbas and his Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon would meet Sunday, July 20.

Shalom said that the meeting would signal the start of a busy week of diplomatic activity.

"Next week is going to be a very, very intensive political week," he said.

"I'm very encouraged, I must tell you, much more than I was before," Shalom said, referring to the talks with Abbas.

"I believe that this new leadership, that speaks differently – it might be that they mean differently."

Israel Radio quoted Palestinian sources as confirming that the meeting between the two leaders will take place Sunday.

Sharon is also scheduled to meet with Bush on July 29, four days after Bush's talks with Abbas.

It is unclear whether Abbas will remain in the U.S. to coincide with Sharon's visit or whether the two would hold a joint summit with Bush.

The trio had met in Jordan's Aqaba summit on June 4.