Indirect peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians set to start this week

In Cairo, the Arab League has cautiously endorsed the start of ‘proximity talks’ between Israel and the Palestinians. The indirect negotiations are to be moderated by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell and could begin as early as Wednesday. According to several media reports, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas received assurances from the US that it would consider allowing passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel for building in disputed territory should the need for it arise.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the start of talks. The Damascus-based leadership of Hamas condemned the Arab League's backing for the indirect peace talks.

Both sides reportedly agreed to the American demand to talk about the core issues of a permanent status agreement: borders, Jerusalem, security, water, settlements and refugees. However, each side has its own priorities which it will choose to focus on, and with which it will prefer to begin negotiations, according to the Israeli newspaper ‘Haaretz’. "The negotiations will be conducted in channels that are as discreet as possible and within a limited framework," a senior Israeli government official told the paper.