Palestinians have said that little has changed in many areas despite Israel's claim that restrictions have been eased in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Israeli army said the total closure of the territories was lifted last night, a move that would allow about 25,000 Palestinians with work permits to return to their jobs. The move was billed as a goodwill gesture ahead of Wednesday's meeting between US President George W Bush and the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers in Jordan to discuss the US-backed international peace plan for the Middle East known as the roadmap.