Amid an American diplomatic offensive comprising visits by the vice-president, Joe Biden, and the US Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to hold indirect negotiations after more than a year of deep freeze.br br But even before ties could begin to thaw, Israel's move to expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank a day after agreeing to talks, has turned things frosty again.br br Tom Ackerman reports on how the latest talks may not even get off the ground (09 Mar 2010).