There are conflicting signals from Israeli sources over a possible delay to the plan of the Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, to withdraw from Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the West Bank.
Speaking on a visit to Mauritania, the Israeli Foreign Minister, Silvan Shalom, said this evening that the pullout would not now begin until 15 August and would take about six weeks to complete.
However, a senior Israeli official said that while a postponement from the original date of 20 July had been discussed, no final decision had been taken.
Israeli leaders have been expected to agree to the delay in order to avoid clashing with a Jewish mourning period that could further aggravate settlers who do not want to leave.
