The key elements of the agreement are that Israel will withdraw its troops from another thirteen percent of the West Bank, handing control to the Palestinians.

Israel has also agreed to allow safe passage for Palestinians moving from the Gaza strip to parts of the West Bank, and to release several hundred Palestinian prisoners over three months In return, the Israelis will get security guarantees, and the PLO central council will consider revoking anti-Israeli clauses in its charter.

The BBC Washington correspondent says that implementing the agreement could be more difficult than signing it.Analysts say these issues are minor compared to those that lie ahead -- the status of Palestinian refugees, the control of Jerusalem and the shape of the final borders for Israel and the Palestinian entity.