RIYADH, May 20: The Saudi-US Mideast peace initiatives seem to be making some headway. A Palestinian official was quoted saying in Jeddah that the Hamas has told Saudi Arabia it was willing to stop suicide bombings on Israeli territory, to give the Saudi peace initiative a chance.

One of the news agencies reported that a member of the group, made the commitment to the Saudis during a meeting in Jeddah. However, the Hamas officials involved in the talks were not identified by the agency.

“The Hamas promise is the fruit of dialogue recently opened between Saudi Arabia and the movement, while Riyadh is making efforts to relaunch Middle East peace negotiations,” he was quoted as saying.

Saudi Arabian leadership traditionally enjoys respect of the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas. Shaikh Yassin, the Hamas leader, after getting freedom from the Israeli prison a couple of years back, was invited to the Saudi Arabia for medical treatment.

It is also evident that there is a certain difference of opinion within the Hamas leadership on the commitment not to go ahead with suicide bombings, so as to give peace a chance. A senior Gaza-based Hamas leader, Ismael Abu Shanab, however denied any such commitment to the Saudi leadership. “The information is false. Hamas’ choice remains one of resistance in all forms while Palestinian territory is under occupation,” he reiterated.

In the meantime, the recent GCC Foreign Ministers Conference in Jeddah to discuss the Palestinian issue also announced shunning “all forms of violence” so as to achieve just peace in the region. Many here say this statement was also a manifestation of the agreement between the Saudis and the Americans to pursue peace in the region. This statement was to meet the American requirements for any movement on peace overtures, analysts here underline.

On the other hand the Israelis also do not seem to have reacted violently to Sunday’s suicide bombing in Netanya, as has been the case in past with the Israeli Ariel Sharon government. Many here believe the restrain shown by Israel was only possible because of the behind the scene pressures from the Americans on Israelis

The US Vice President Dick Cheney said for the first time on Sunday that the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat cannot control suicide bombers backed by Iran and Syria, intent on attacking Israel.