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Hamas promises decisions by Sunday

Hamas official says group wants truce agreement granting it control over crossings, rebuilding Gaza

Hamas officials said Friday the organization expects to achieve progress in ceasefire talks by the end of the weekend. The Hamas delegation is expected to return to Cairo Sunday with answers on the issue of the opening and closing of the border crossings, and the amount of goods allowed in by Israel.

 

A Hamas official told Ynet that the issues still being debated are fundamental but small, and that the organization would strive to prevent a relapse into fighting.

 

"The goal is to allow people to rehabilitate. What's said in speeches is one thing, but what leads the delegation in private is the true interest of the public," he said, adding that the chances of reaching a truce were greater than the odds of another outbreak in violence.

 

He postulated that a long-term ceasefire agreement would be reached, beginning with a period of a year to 18 months. However he hinted that in actuality the ceasefire would last longer.

 

Meanwhile Amos Gilad, the head of the Defense Ministry's Diplomatic-Security Bureau, returned from Cairo after receiving updates on Hamas' position. The cabinet is scheduled to debate his conclusions.

 

According to the Hamas official, the materializing ceasefire will allow the organization to influence the ongoings at border crossings, though its officials may not be present there.

 

He said that though the crossings will probably be manned by Palestinian Authority officials loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas will still retain some form of control. He added that Israel will no

longer be able to close the Rafah crossing despite UN Resolution 1860 – calling for a ceasefire in Gaza – which refers to the crossings agreement from 2005.

 

The Hamas official said the organization's main concern, along with the ending of the blockade, was the establishment of an authority to rebuild Gaza. He said Israel was maintaining an inflexible policy regarding limitations on metal and concrete allowed to cross into the Strip, citing fears that the materials would be used to create weapons.

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.06.09, 23:48
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