Israeli security forces have seized Palestinian suspects across the West Bank, hours before new talks between Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas.

At least 50 suspected Islamic Jihad militants were arrested overnight, Israeli military sources said.

It is the first wave of arrests on such a scale against the group in six months and follows attacks on Israeli targets.

The Israeli and Palestinian leaders are due to discuss security but there appears little hope of progress.

It will only be the second time the two men have met since Mr Abbas came to power and the first time the top Palestinian and Israeli leaders have met in Jerusalem - claimed by Israel as its exclusive capital despite Palestinian objections.

Recent violence has soured the atmosphere and nobody is expecting a great deal to emerge from these talks, says BBC correspondent Alan Johnston.

Familiar demands

An Israeli military source is quoted as saying that 36 suspects were detained overnight in the cities of Hebron and Bethlehem in the south of the West Bank, while 14 more were arrested in Ramallah, Qalqilya and Jenin in the north.

Two Israelis have died in the past two days in Islamic Jihad attacks.

The militants say they were responding to what they regard as Israeli violations of a ceasefire.

On Monday a 21-year-old Palestinian woman camp was arrested trying to leave Gaza with 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of explosives after being given permission to seek hospital treatment.

"These things in the last 48 hours have really cast a dark cloud over the summit. But I hope we continue to exert maximum efforts," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat is quoted as saying.

The Palestinians say that they do not intend to focus on the forthcoming Gaza withdrawal at Tuesday's talks but, rather, see them as a chance to focus on other issues.

Mr Abbas is likely to press for Israeli concessions that would make life easier for Palestinians in the occupied territories: more freedom of movement, more chances for Palestinians to work in Israel and more releases of Palestinian prisoners.

These are familiar Palestinian demands and they are likely to get a familiar Israeli response, our correspondent says.

Mr Sharon can be expected to insist very forcefully again that Israeli concessions will only be possible if the Palestinian authorities act to counter militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Israel plans to withdraw all the settlers in Gaza - about 9,000 people - and the troops who protect them beginning in mid-August.

It will maintain control of the territory's border, coastline and airspace. Four small settlements in the West Bank will also be evacuated.

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Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon