At the completion of the meeting a press conference was held and a joint communiqué read by Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Foreign Ministry Director General Avi Gil. The sides announced that a joint committee would deal with security issues and oversee implementation of Mitchell and Tenet recommendations. Full security cooperation would resume between Palestinian and Israeli officers and Israel will begin to lift the closure and redeploy forces. No dates and specifics were given in the statement, and Peres and Arafat are scheduled to meet again next week.

Shortly after 5 a.m. this morning a huge explosion rocked the IDF's Tarmit outpost, near Rafah on the Israel-Egypt border. The explosive device was planted in a tunnel under the outer walls of the base, and caused the collapse of one wall. The three soldiers were reportedly wounded as a result of the structural damage to the post.

Despite the relative drop in Palestinian violence in the territories since Yasser Arafat's declaration of a cease-fire last week, the Tarmit outpost, which has played a key role in Israeli attempts to stop Palestinian arms smuggling from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, has been the scene of ceaseless grenade attacks and Palestinian gunfire. Even after this morning's explosion, Palestinians resumed gunfire at the post and a grenade was thrown at an armored IDF vehicle nearby. Media reports this morning suggested that the relentless Palestinian gunfire was intended as cover for efforts to dig the tunnel leading up to the base.

Israel Radio correspondent Nissim Keinan reported this morning that "senior military sources in the Gaza Strip" say that PA Col. Mohammed Dahlan, head of Yasser Arafat's Preventive Security for the Gaza Strip, knew in advance that there were plans to plant a large bomb underneath the Tarmit outpost. According to the report, the bomb was specifically planned to explode just a few hours before meeting, yet Dahlan did nothing to prevent the attack.

Israeli Radio Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Yoni Ben Menachem reported that last night Israel permitted the PA to bring in heavy forces into the Rafah area in the belief that the PA would bring security to the area. Ben Menachem said the PA apparently took advantage of the new situation to start moving large quantities of weapons already starting last night through the tunnels.

Following this morning's attack, Israeli tanks entered the nearby Rafah refugee camp firing machine guns and causing damage to houses, Palestinian security sources said. A 16-year-old Palestinian boy was reportedly killed and 4 others were wounded in clashes between IDF troops and stone-throwers at the camp.

Meeting takes place at Dahaniya Airport
Peres and Arafat met shortly after 10 a.m. at the Dahaniya International Airport in the southern Gaza Strip, just kilometers away from the Tarmit outpost. According to media reports, the two were originally scheduled to sign a pre-arranged document, negotiated in the past week by Peres and senior Palestinian negotiators Saeb Erekat and Abu Ala, formalizing a cease-fire. Arafat and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon reportedly approved the document in advance.

According to Army Radio, an official cease-fire would be announced for an initial period of between two days and one week. Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation would be resumed, and Palestinians would take actions against suspected terrorists. In return, Israel would remove the closure on certain quiet sections of the territories, and allow free access to Palestinian security forces, traders and businessmen.

The second stage of the agreement, according to media reports, would be a four-week period during which the IDF would redeploy and remove all remaining blockades on Palestinian cities. Certain outposts would be evacuated, the Dahaniya Airport would be reopened and Palestinian fishing rights would be extended.

The final stage of the agreement, according to media reports, would go into effect after the 5 weeks of "quiet." At this stage Israel would transfer tax money owed to the Palestinian Authority. The Palestinians would be required to round-up illegal weapons in the territories and dismantle terror infrastructures in their areas.

Israel's Channel 2 television reported last night that the talks between Peres and Arafat would definitely focus on a diplomatic agenda, including the implementation of the Tenet and Mitchell Commission recommendations. Despite the mandate given to Peres to negotiate solely for a cease-fire, and despite the presence in the talks of the chief of the Israel Defense Forces Planning Branch, Major General Giora Eiland, the Foreign Minister has reportedly developed a detailed timetable that includes the withdrawal of Israeli security forces and a settlement freeze.

Rightwing ministers unable to prevent meeting
Members of the right-wing National Union Knesset faction were scheduled to meet this morning to discuss their political future. Ministers Rechavam Ze'evi and Avigdor Lieberman had threatened to leave the national unity government if Peres was allowed to meet with Arafat. Even so, media analysts suggested that the faction would not leave the coalition as a result of the meeting.

In last-minute efforts to prevent the meeting, members of the faction reportedly attempted to enlist the support of the Sephardic religious party, Shas, but were rebuffed. Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadiah Yossef spoke with Peres last night, and gave his blessing for "any move that would lead to an end to bloodshed," ynet reported.

Internal Security Minister Uzi Landau (Likud) said on Israel Radio this morning that his anger was directed at Peres who was acting at a time when Palestinian violence had not ceased for the 48 hours of "quiet' required by Sharon to precede such a meeting. Landau gave as examples this morning's explosion at the Tarmit post, Monday's shooting attack in which Salit Sheetrit was killed, and the many violent incidents that have occurred in the territories during the past week.

Yesterday two mortar shells were fired at Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip. A number of gunfire incidents were reported in the Gaza Strip, in the southern Hebron Hills and at Psagot. This morning a 60-year-old Israeli woman was discovered stabbed to death on Moshav Maor, near the Green Line. Israeli police are investigating a number of possible motives for the murder, including the possibility that it was a terrorist attack.

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