Palestinians discussing Egyptian truce proposal
Cairo urging Palestinian factions to consider possibility of renewing 'lull' with Israel, Ynet has learned. Source from Islamist group says factions leaning towards accepting the proposal. Egyptian President Mubarak expected to raise issue in meeting with PM Netanyahu this month
Egypt has asked the Palestinian factions to consider the possibility of renewing the truce with Israel.
Ynet has learned that some 10 days ago Egypt submitted a proposal to the Palestinian factions, including Hamas, urging them to agree to a lull in the hostilities with Israel. This, Egypt said, would allow for Egyptian-Israeli talks regarding the easing of the siege on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have already held one meeting to discuss the proposal. A second meeting was also held between representatives from the abovementioned groups and the smaller organizations.
A source from one of the Islamic groups told Ynet that the factions were leaning towards accepting the Egyptian proposal.
"We understand that the people in Gaza need rest and calm, and we hope that alongside this our Egyptian brothers will be able to deliver an Israeli agreement to ease the siege and open the crossings," he said.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to raise the issue in his upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders are reportedly scheduled to meet in the first half of May, prior to Netanyahu's visit to Washington.
The Palestinian source said that the current talks have yet to touch on the issue of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, but added that if the proposed agreement was successful then negotiations for Shalit's release would resume.
