Hamas has suggested that representatives of the Palestinian Authority stationed at the Rafah crossing would be residents of Gaza, not the West Bank, the London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Saturday.
Olmert, Livni, Barak approve security arrangements with Egypt aimed at thwarting flow of arms into Hamas-controlled territory; possible measures include setting up roadblocks deep in Sinai; prevent smuggling boats from docking at Port Said
On Friday a delegation of three Hamas representatives arrived in Cairo for renewed talks with Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman. Two other representatives are scheduled to join them from Damascus.
According to the report, the sides will discuss the materializing ceasefire with Israel, the opening of the border crossings to Gaza, and the issue of reconciliation between the Palestinian factions.
Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha told the paper that his organization had suggested placing Turkish representatives beside a European peacekeeping force at Gaza's crossings in order to manage them.
"We asked to include the Turks beside the Europeans, on the condition that they will be placed at all crossings between Gaza and Egypt or Israel," he said.
Regarding the controversial Rafah crossing Taha said, "We suggested that Egypt open the crossing in keeping with the agreement from 2005, on the condition that Palestinian Authority representatives will be selected from residents of the Gaza Strip loyal to Fatah and President Abu-Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas)."
Taha added that Hamas would hold "decisive" meetings with Egypt. "The activation of the crossings has no bearing on the issue of Shalit," he stressed, referring to Israel's kidnapped soldier. "We will not allow the two to be tied."
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