The United States is preparing to resume efforts to end the war between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

The Bush administration plans to return U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni to the Middle East in an attempt to implement a ceasefire between Israel and the PA. U.S. officials said Zinni will arrive in Israel on Thursday.

The officials said Zinni will seek to accelerate efforts to reach a formal ceasefire and launch a diplomatic process that will address Palestinian concerns. They said this would include the cessation of Israeli construction in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Zinni, the officials said, has been in contact with such U.S. allies as Egypt and Jordan to help his mission. Zinni was said to have asked both countries to support peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians.

The administration will also revive efforts to end Israeli attacks on supporters of PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. Officials said Israel has been questioned for details regarding the killing of 10 Palestinians, alleged to have been commanders in the insurgency war against Israel.

The State Department is preparing a human rights report scheduled to be released in February that will include Israel's targeting of Palestinian insurgents. Over the last six weeks, the department has not criticized Israeli attacks.

Israeli officials have been preparing for the Zinni visit. The government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has ordered a series of measures to ease restrictions on Palestinians. At the same time, Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said the reduction of Palestinian attacks allows for the immediate implementation of a plan by the United States and the international community for a resumption of the diplomatic process.

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