Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas failed Tuesday to resolve key issues on Israel's planned Gaza withdrawal, and the Palestinian chief said he received no positive answers in a "difficult" meeting — their first since they agreed to a truce four months ago. With the Gaza pullout to begin in less than two months, the summit had been expected to kick off a determined effort by the two sides to work together to ensure the pullout proceeds smoothly and peacefully. But a new wave of Palestinian attacks and Israel's overnight arrest of dozens of militants dampened hopes. And the frosty atmosphere at the meeting itself raised doubts over whether the leaders can work together on the withdrawal, much less on further peace moves.The Palestinians expressed frustration after the more than two-hour session at Sharon's official residence in Jerusalem, the first time top Palestinian and Israeli leaders have met in the city. The Palestinians have long claimed that east Jerusalem should be their capital. "This was a difficult meeting, and did not live up to our expectations," Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia told reporters. "In all the basic issues for which we were expecting positive responses, there were none."
The Palestinians wanted concrete results announced at the summit, such as Israel releasing more prisoners and also easing roadblocks and other restrictions that have crippled life in the West Bank. Abbas needs such achievements to bolster his standing among his people. Israeli officials said there was some progress. In a speech after the meeting, Sharon said he and Abbas "agreed during the meeting on full coordination of our exit from Gaza." He did not offer details.