Israeli PM Ariel Sharon has met cabinet ministers to discuss a delay to withdrawal from the Gaza Strip because of Jewish religious considerations.
The meeting ended without a decision being made though one is expected soon.
The pullout, which was due to begin in July, coincides with a three-week period of mourning marking the destruction of two biblical temples.
Mr Sharon has said every effort should be made to make the withdrawal easier for Jewish settlers.
During the meeting, Mr Sharon is reported to have told ministers that he wanted to examine how a three-week delay would affect preparations by the security forces to evacuate settlers.
There is speculation in Israel that the authorities and the military are ill-prepared to carry out the disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, says the BBC's Nick Childs in Jerusalem.
Right-wing settlers have vowed to resist the government's efforts to uproot them from Gaza, depicting the plan as a betrayal by Mr Sharon.
About 8,000 settlers and the soldiers who protect them are due to pull out. Israel will continue to control Gaza's external borders, coastline and airspace.
Orthodox Jews observe a religious period of solemnity and fasting until 14 August to mark the destruction of two biblical Temples.
US objections
Separately, the US has said Israel must explain its newly announced plan to build 50 new homes at the Elkana settlement in the northern West Bank.
The proposal emerged days after US President George Bush warned Mr Sharon to halt any such construction - particularly in east Jerusalem - on land Palestinians hope will form part of a future state.
He said any such activity contravened the "roadmap" peace plan but did not specify what measures, if any, might be taken against Israel if construction continued.
He also praised Mr Sharon for pushing ahead with his plans to withdraw Israeli soldiers and settlers from Gaza and hand over control to the Palestinians.