Israeli and Palestinian Leaders to Meet in Egypt Amid Ongoing Violence

In a bid to stem the escalating violence that has claimed nearly 100 lives in the past two weeks, Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to meet with US President Clinton in Egypt on Monday. The high-stakes summit, coordinated by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, aims to establish a ceasefire and potentially revive the stalled peace process. Despite intense international pressure, the two sides have set no preconditions for the talks, with Palestinian officials warning that a failed meeting could lead to devastating consequences.

Key Takeaways:

• The Israeli-Palestinian violence has resulted in nearly 100 deaths in the past two weeks, with both sides engaging in intense clashes and condemnations.
• UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has played a crucial role in coordinating the summit, shuttling between Jerusalem and Gaza City to facilitate the meeting.
• Palestinian officials have dropped their demand for an international inquiry into the recent violence, with Israel agreeing to a fact-finding team composed of Palestinians, Israelis, and Americans.
• Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, concerned that the violence could spread, has been instrumental in persuading Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to participate in the meeting.
• The summit meeting is seen as a delicate maneuver, given the fragile trust between the two sides and the intense security concerns in the region.
• Israel has proposed forming a national emergency government with right-wing opposition parties, but negotiations with the rightists are currently stalled.
• Prime Minister Ehud Barak faces significant political risks in participating in the summit, particularly if it fails to produce a tangible outcome.

Statistics:

• Nearly 100 deaths have occurred in the Israeli-Palestinian violence over the past two weeks.
• 14 out of 40 Islamic fundamentalist group members released from prison this week have been re-arrested by the Palestinians.
• The meeting is set to take place in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
• The Arab leaders have engaged in intense diplomacy in recent days to try to end the violence.

Sources:

• United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, as quoted in the New York Times article.
• President Clinton, as quoted in the New York Times article.
• Israeli Foreign Ministry, as stated in a fax to the New York Times.
• Sheikh Jamal Salim, Hamas spokesman, as quoted in the New York Times article.
• Prime Minister Ehud Barak, as quoted in an official statement.
• King Abdullah II of Jordan, as quoted in Agence France-Presse article.
• Fatma Shamalekh, Gaza resident, as quoted in the New York Times article.
• Ibrahim Abu Salim, Old City shopkeeper, as quoted in the New York Times article.