"We have to give an opportunity to these ideas to allow the two peoples (Israelis and Palestinians) to react" to the initiative, which could be a "light at the end of the tunnel," Ahmed Maher told reporters.

The initiative recently drawn up by leading Palestinian politicians and left-wing Israeli figures is to be formally unveiled in Switzerland towards the middle of next month.

However, Israel is actively opposing the unofficial plan and said it will only follow the mainstream US-backed peace plan known as the "roadmap" aimed at ending the bloody three-year-old conflict.

According to available details, the "Geneva Initiative" provides for shared sovereignty over disputed areas of the holy city of Jerusalem and gives the Palestinians 97.5 percent of the West Bank.

In exchange, Palestinian refugees would waive their right of return to areas now incorporated in the state of Israel as it was founded in 1948.

WAR.WIRE