Israel today returned the bodies of 15 Palestinian militants who were killed carrying out terrorist acts to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. This is the latest confidence building measure between the two sides who are attempting to maintain a fragile cease fire and end four years of violence in the region.

The bodies were driven by ambulance to Gaza City where a large crowd awaited them in the main square. Each ambulance had the name of the person whose body it contained written on the windshield.

Yesterday, the Israeli cabinet approved the list of names of the first 500 Palestinian prisoners who will be released from Israeli jails. This is a high priority for Abbas who told the New York Times, 'prisoners, prisoners are our priority, and we told everyone about it.' He added that a large sized prisoner release would help stabilize the volatile situation in the territories for PA security forces.

Prominent Israeli politicians also called for the arrest and detention of right wing Israeli extremists who oppose the upcoming Israeli pullout from the Gaza Strip and the dismantling of settlements there. Some threats have been made against government ministers who support the pullout.

Relations between the PA and the Israeli government continue to improve. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat even indicated that the two security organizations may soon resume joint patrols in the near future.