| Submit your comments on this article |
| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Amos Gilad returns from Cairo talks on ceasefire with Hamas |
| 2008-05-26 |
| Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry's military-political department, returned to Israel following a series of meetings in Cairo in which he represented Israel in negotiations on a possible truce between Israel and the Palestinian factions, mediated by Egypt. Following preliminary reports, the government has decided to suspend any decisions about an extensive military operation in Gaza. Gilad met with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman, who urged both Hamas and Israel to show flexibility in efforts to reach a ceasefire. Officials in Jerusalem are awaiting Gilad's full report, which is scheduled to be delivered to Defense Minister Ehud Barak Sunday evening. During the talks Gilad stressed Israel's demand that complete calm prevail in Gaza prior to any ceasefire agreement. During this stage the terror groups will commit, under Egypt's supervision, to prevent the smuggling of arms, money and terrorists from Sinai into the Strip. In return Israel will refrain from launching a broad military operation in Gaza. During the second phase, Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing and allow the movement of goods and people between Egypt and Gaza in return for significant progress on a deal to release kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. This phase is expected to be more complex due to the disagreement over the identity of the Palestinians slated for release in the framework of a prisoner exchange deal. |
| Posted by:Fred |