Israeli and Palestinian sources say Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could meet with his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, as early as Tuesday. It would be the second meeting between the two leaders in just over a week. These signs of movement in the peace process come a day after the Israeli Cabinet formally accepted the international peace plan known as the road map.
After repeated delays, both the Israelis and Palestinians have now formally accepted the latest international blueprint for Middle East peace.
The Israeli cabinet approved the plan on Sunday with a vote of 12 to 7, with four abstentions and after hours of heated debate. The Palestinians had accepted the road map, when it was first unveiled late last month.
The United States quickly welcomed Israel's approval, and Prime Minister Abbas also termed it a positive and important step.
The proposed Sharon-Abbas meeting is seen as very preliminary in nature, focusing on how to at least start the process that is designed to lead to an end to violence and the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005.
The road map's acceptance also paves the way for a possible three-way summit to include U.S. President Bush. That meeting could take place next month.