On January 10, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and PA President Abbas agreed to begin negotiations on a "three-level" model. Under this structure, Israeli Foreign minister Tzipi Livni and former Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia will discuss the core issues directly, and their negotiating teams will then discuss the issues in detail. Olmert and Abbas will intervene to mediate any differences.
Progress on Negotiations
On January 14, Livni and Qureia began negotiations that will take place about once weekly under low media profile. Abbas stated that the negotiators would discuss six issues in their meetings: Jerusalem, West Bank settlements, Palestinian refugees, borders, security and water resources. On January 28, Olmert stated that discussions over highly controversial issues, including the status of Jerusalem, would be held off until a "later phase" of negotiations.
Progress on Road Map Implementation
On January 28, Lt. Gen. William M. Fraser III, a U.S. Air Force general, began his directive to monitor compliance with Road Map obligations by meeting with Livni and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Fraser then met with Abbas on January 29.
Security Measures
Gaza Crisis
• January 18: In response to increased rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government closed all border crossings and temporarily suspended fuel supplies into Gaza.
• January 23: Masked gunmen blew a series of holes in the barrier separating Egypt and Gaza, allowing Gazans to enter into Egypt. The Egyptian government has slowly undertaken efforts to secure the border and lessen the flow of people.
• January 27: The Israeli government resumed limited shipments of fuel supplies and bare humanitarian necessities to Gaza.
• January 28: Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit stated that the future Egyptian-Gazan border should be controlled by Palestinian Authority President Abbas and monitored by European Union officials. Indications are that Israeli officials would not block this proposal.
Broader Security Cooperation
• January 25: It was reported that Israeli military cooperation with the Palestinian Authority has improved in recent months. In 2007 the number of “significant” meetings between Israeli and Palestinian officers more than doubled. In addition, a U.S. program to train Palestinian security forces is scheduled to begin this month, and is expected to graduate 2,000 security personnel in 2008. Critics, however, argue the graduation rate is too slow to significantly bolster security in the Palestinian territories. In November 2007 a strengthened Palestinian security force was deployed in Nablus and Tulkarem.
Settlement Construction
• January 21: Israeli officials stated that all further construction beyond the Green Line, including East Jerusalem neighborhoods, would require the direct approval of Prime Minister Olmert. Earlier this month it was reported that Barak had reached an agreement with leaders of the settlement movement to peacefully evacuate 18 outposts in the West Bank.
• January 23: Olmert and Barak authorized the evacuation of the Migron outpost by the beginning of August.
• January 24: It was reported that Olmert had completely frozen all new construction in West Bank settlements, including the major settlement blocs.
Movement and Access: Despite promises by the Israeli government to reduce the number of roadblocks in the West Bank, the number of fixed barriers in 2007 increased 6%, from 528 to 563, according to a UN report released on January 22.
Regional Efforts: Neighboring Arab countries have assisted in negotiating between Hamas and Fatah. On January 30, Egyptian President Mubarak is scheduled to meet separately with Abbas and Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal to discuss control of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza. In addition, Saudi Arabia recently discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip with a delegation of senior Hamas officials.
Progress on the Palestinian Economy
Co-chairs of the December Paris Donors’ Conference – French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, and Middle East envoy Tony Blair – recently pushed for further efforts by donors. The leaders highlighted improvements to the Palestinian economy since the December 17th conference, while encouraging donors to support security projects for financing equipment, infrastructure, and training of personnel.
• January 22: The UN submitted a Consolidated Appeal plan to raise $462 million, through the work of 12 UN agencies and 28 nongovernmental organizations, for the Palestinian population. Leaders of the organizations claim that if "there is not a dramatic turnabout in the situation in the territories, the seven billion dollars the donors promised in promise will go down the drain."