Mideast Talks Remain at Impasse

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inner circle is blocking an agreement on the Israeli troop withdrawal from the West Bank city of Hebron, Palestinian negotiators in the Egyptian resort of Taba alleged. Talks on the long-delayed pullout recessed as Palestinian negotiators accused their Israeli counterparts of going back on agreements apparently reached in discreet, top-level contacts. Israeli officials maintained that a deal concerning the last West Bank town under Israeli occupation was within reach. A new round of formal negotiations in the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat were set for Monday.