US officials are mulling a proposal to free the jailed Israeli agent Jonathan Pollard in order to save the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks from collapse, Israel Radio reported Sunday.

Citing western diplomats, the Israel Radio reported that the U. S. administration is trying to find a proposal that would convince the Hawkish government of Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the planned Palestinian prisoner release.

The fourth round of prisoners release was set to take place by the end of March, as part of the agreement to resume peace talks between Israel and Palestinians last summer. However, senior Israeli ministers cast doubt last week on the release, saying it might not take place at all in light of the impasse in the talks.

Israel Radio said the administration "has not ruled out" Netanyahu's proposal to free Pollard in exchange of releasing Palestinian prisoners who were convicted of committing acts of terrorism against Israel.

Pollard, a Jewish American citizen of the US, has been incarcerated for spying against the US on Israel's behalf and sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for espionage. Over the years, the US has refused numerous appeals by Israeli political leaders for Pollard's release.

This topic remains a sensitive issue in the alliance between Israel and the United States and the conduct of espionage between the allies.