Al-Quds city, Feb 3, SPA -- Israeli and Palestinian officials saidThursday they hope to declare a formal cease-fire at ahistoric Mideast summit next week, and Prime Minister ArielSharon asked senior Cabinet ministers to approve therelease of about 500 Palestinian prisoners and a gradualpullout from five West Bank cities. Momentum for a cease-fire announcement and other measuresreceived a major boost Wednesday after Egypt unexpectedlyoffered to host a summit of regional leaders. Palestiniansand Israelis both said they expected the summit to producea truce ending more than four years of violence. A joint declaration of a cessation of violence is one ofthe first requirements in the internationally backed roadmap peace plan, which calls for the establishment of aPalestinian state by the end of this year. "I hope that a cease-fire will be declared, a halt to allviolent acts," Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres toldIsrael Army Radio. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, returning to the WestBank after a five-country trip, said that he expects Israelto issue such a declaration. Palestinian negotiator SaebErekat said the Palestinians are ready to "declare a fullcessation of violence against Israelis anywhere, and Iexpect the Israelis to reciprocate by saying we will stopviolence against Palestinians anywhere." Tuesday's summit at Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharmel-Sheik is to be hosted by Egyptian President HosniMubarak, and Jordan's King Abdullah will also attend. It marks the first Sharon-Abbas meeting since thePalestinian leader won a Jan. 9 presidential election. Itwill also be the first time Sharon and Mubarak meet. In Thursday's meeting, Sharon asked six senior ministersto approve a series of steps ahead of the summit. Inaddition to the prisoner release and a gradual West Banktroop withdrawal, Israel would also agree to stop huntingfugitives, provided they sign a pledge to halt attacks andhand over weapons. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the ministers themilitary plans to withdraw gradually from five West Banktowns, starting with the quiet desert oasis of Jericho,followed by Bethlehem, Qalqiliya and Tulkarem. Ramallah,the Palestinians' center of government, would be last,participants said.--SPA1409 Local Time 1109 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/236506