Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly has agreed in principle to hold indirect peace negotiations with Israel brokered by the United States.

An unnamed senior Palestinian official confirmed the talks, which are expected to begin Feb. 20, the French news agency AFP reported Monday.

The official told AFP that the talks brokered by U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell “will be aimed at creating a better climate and reaching an understanding on the borders of the Palestinian state, and they will begin on Feb. 20.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

“They will last three months, with the Americans negotiating directly with the two sides after determining a timetable and agreed-upon mechanisms for implementation,” AFP quoted the source as saying.

Abbas has not yet given his final approval to the deal. He will consult with Arab leaders and get some clarifications from the United States before responding, AFP reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes the shuttle diplomacy will lead to direct negotiations, according to reports.

Also Monday, Abbas’ Cabinet announced plans to hold municipal elections on July 17, according to The Associated Press. They would be the first Palestinian elections since Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007.

The Cabinet statement said elections also would be held in Gaza, according to the AP.

Presidential and legislative elections were supposed to have taken place in January. They have not been rescheduled.

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount