Israel’s Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz is finalizing plans to allow travel for Palestinian convoys from the Gaza Strip to the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria. Israel said it will allow a security trial of the convoys, sending five buses a day carrying a total of 250 Palestinians. Plans for the convoy crossings will be passed to the United States, which is pressuring Israel to start them. Thorough security checks will be conducted and Israeli police will escort the convoys part of the way. Specific criteria must be met for Palestinians wishing to obtain a passage permit.