Regarding the negotiations towards a truce, Diskin remarked that Hamas have expressed skepticism, but "the Egyptians want very much to bring a truce into being. They fear a mass breakout into Egypt and desire to keep their hegemony as a mediator. Hamas is interested in a truce but does not accept Israel's terms. They are emphasizing the removal of the siege and buying time."
Diskin added that if negotiations failed, Hamas would demand that Egypt open the Rafah crossing.
According to Diskin, Israel has demanded that Egypt commit to halting the smuggling of weapons and the strengthening of Hamas.
"Hamas is demanding a time schedule for the truce in the West Bank. Israel is demanding that the truce exclude the West Bank. As expected, Hamas does not wish to be forced to impose the truce upon the other terror organizations, but we are requiring it," he said, adding that Israel had to act fast, because "as time goes on, a military operation will cost both sides more casualties." He added that he believed the chances for a truce are low.
'Nearing decisive point'
Regarding kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, Diskin said that the rift between the sides was very difficult to bridge. "Here as well the Egyptian efforts have been genuine and intense. There are very big gaps between the sides on this issue," he said.
Diskin also warned of efforts to carry out a kidnapping attempt in the West Bank. "500 Palestinian security officers have been deployed in Jenin, who were trained in Jordan. There is much activity where social order is concerned, but there has been no change regarding terrorism," he said.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressed the situation in Gaza, and said that "things are nearing a decisive point." He added that Israel "wants peace and security both in the short run and in the long run – and we will have to make decisions."
Olmert noted that Israel was waiting for the Egyptian mediator, Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman, in order to hear the answers he received from the Palestinian factions for Israel's demands.
"If this result is not reached through Egyptian mediation, we will have to take other means. The government has nothing more important than securing its residents' safety. Both I and the defense officials are losing sleep over this issue. We must secure the safety of the south's residents."