Al-Quds city, Oct 8, SPA -- Israel and the Palestinians have madesome progress on new security arrangements for theGaza-Egypt border, Palestinian officials said Saturday,ahead of a planned summit between Israeli Prime MinisterAriel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas thisweek. A border deal, brokered by international mediator JamesWolfensohn, would allow Gazans relatively free movement forthe first time and is seen as crucial for the economicdevelopment of the impoverished coastal strip. However, the two sides appeared to remain deadlocked onother issues, including the release of Palestinianprisoners and an Israeli troop withdrawal from additionalWest Bank towns. The Palestinians seek the release of all prisoners whohave served more than 20 years in Israeli prisons, chiefPalestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Saturday. However,Israel says it will not release those involved in attacksthat wounded or killed Israelis, meaning most of those withlong sentences would be ineligible. More than 7,000 Palestinians are held by Israel, includinghundreds of Hamas and Islamic Jihad activists seized in thepast two weeks, according to a report of The Associated Press. The summit is tentatively set for Tuesday, but the date isnot yet firm. Both sides have said it's better not to holdthe meeting at all than to have it fail.--SPA1418 Local Time 1118 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/294944