US mediators arrive in a doubting Mideast

The Palestinians released Abu Hanoud in May, when Israeli F-16 fighter jets bombed a police compound where he was being held prisoner.

His killing prompted angry avowals of revenge from Palestinians of various political persuasions. Hamas's militants went into action on Saturday, using mortars to shell soldiers guarding an Israeli settlement in Gaza. An Israeli reservist was killed, the first such fatality since the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian violence 14 months ago.

Then came the reprisal, in which Israelis used helicopters and other armaments to attack Palestinian police facilities in Gaza early Sunday.

Despite the tensions raised by so much violence, officials on both sides have been sounding open to the prospect of renewed US intervention. Israelis and Palestinians alike welcomed a speech last week by Secretary of State Colin Powell that signalled a revival of US diplomatic activity.

"The sheer decision of the US administration to send a new team here, the novelty of the people on that team, plus the general support that this team enjoys globally are the keys to its potential success," says Daniel Sheck, a spokesman for Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

These factors, he suggests, may prove more significant that the current round of hostilities.

General Zinni formerly commanded the US military's Central Command, a geographic designation that includes most states in the Middle East, but not Israel. This experience makes him a known quantity to the US's Arab partners; his military background may help him deal with security officials on both sides.

Mr. Burns, the State Department official who oversees the Middle East, is an Arabic speaker well regarded in the Arab states.

Israeli media reports indicate some discomfiture with mediators who have extensive experience working with, in many cases, Israel's enemies. The Jerusalem Post on Friday quoted an unnamed "American Jewish official" as saying that Zinni "is a logical candidate if your purpose is to please Saudi Arabia."

There is a perception on both sides that the main impetus of this effort is to smooth the way for phase two of the US war against terrorism. Arab support will be more important than ever if President Bush decides to target Iraqi President Saddam Hussein as a sponsor of terrorism.

Many of these Arab states have been complaining of US inaction on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the wake of Powell's speech, one such critic, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, told The New York Times that he was "very much encouraged by the administration's recent statements on the issue."

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