Dispute over release of Palestinians threatens truce

A DISPUTE over the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails deepened yesterday, as Israeli security officials warned that the Palestinian Authority will have to move soon against militant groups they say are using the break in Mideast fighting to rebuild.

There has been a week of relative quiet and a series of confidence-building measures, including Israeli troop pullbacks, since militants announced a halt to attacks on Israelis and the two sides' governments resumed close contacts in efforts to promote the US-backed "road map" peace plan.

In Gaza, Palestinian security sources reported the arrest of a young woman suspected of planning a suicide bomb attack on Israelis. However, an Israeli security expert said the arrest might have been staged.