Settlers block key West Bank route

Clashes have continued since the cease-fire

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Jewish settlers demonstrating against continuing regional violence have blockaded a key route into the West Bank.

The Jerusalem-Hebron road was blocked to Palestinian travelers in protest at the killing of four Jewish settlers by Palestinians since the truce began nine days ago, Reuters news agency reported.

Six Palestinians have also been killed since the two sides agreed to CIA Director George Tenet's plan to end nearly nine months of violence.

Israeli and Palestinian security commanders met Thursday discuss the next steps in the truce, but each side expressed suspicions about the actions and intentions of the other.

Diplomats from the U.S. and Europe were to continue talks Friday to reinforce the truce.

A long trail of Palestinian cars sat idle on the road as the settlers blocked traffic, a handful of them throwing stones at the cars, Reuters said.

The protest held up traffic for several hours until police dispersed the crowd. Israeli troops and border police acted as a buffer between the settlers and the Palestinian travellers during the standoff.

The settlers have expressed anger towards Palestinians and also Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for trying to uphold the cease-fire rather than retaliate for the attacks.

About 200,000 settlers live among three million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

U.S. special envoy William Burns and European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana were to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders at the weekend ahead of a trip to the region next week by Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Powell said Thursday he hoped to improve security co-ordination and begin implementing the recommendations in the Mitchell report which outlines a peace plan.

Powell is scheduled to visit the Mideast next week.

"I hope to use those elements to keep the process moving forward. A lot will depend of course on what happens over the next several days," Powell said.

At least 461 Palestinians, 116 Israelis and 13 Israeli Arabs have been killed since the Palestinian revolt against Israeli occupation began in late September after peace talks stalled.

Israeli media said Friday the army had told settlers to travel in convoys or in armoured vehicles on West Bank routes to reduce the risk of being hit by Palestinian gunmen.

Each side accuses the other of violating the terms of the cease-fire.

"A week has passed since the Palestinian leadership has fulfilled all its commitments regarding the cease-fire...without Israel lifting the closure completely and without taking measures on the ground to alleviate the suffering of the people," the Palestinian cabinet statement said.

Israeli Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit said violence has "dropped significantly" since the cease-fire took effect.

Sheetrit defended the government decision not to retaliate.

"I can understand the pain and anger of the people," he said, but responsible decisions must be made, not based on "feelings of revenge or anger or fury or anything else."

According to the truce, Israel was to ease its blockade of Palestinian areas, which it insists is needed to prevent militant attacks. Palestinians say the closures amount to collective punishment.

Under the plan, Palestinian were to arrest militants involved in attacks against Israelis but have yet to do so.