Palestinian sources: Israel offered Hamas terms for Gaza truce

[oberliner]

Israel has offered Hamas terms for a temporary cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, the London-based Al-Hayat daily quoted Palestinian sources as saying on Monday.

The sources said that through Egyptian mediation, Israel has proposed a limited cease-fire that would be effective in the Strip alone and would not include the West Bank.

According to the report, the offer has also been extended to the Islamic Jihad militant group. The terms of the truce would include greater Israeli flexibility on border crossings for six months in exchange for a halt in rocket fire, said the report.

The sources said that Hamas is likely to accept the proposal. Islamic Jihad and associates of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were opposed to the offer, said the sources, because it does not include the West Bank.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/974759.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. Interesting.

I have suspected for some time that there are far more multi-party negotiations behind the scenes than on an official level. I hope it does come to something!

[oberliner]

2. The split between Hamas and Fatah makes it difficult to negoitate

It seems like if Israel talks to Hamas then Abbas/Fatah sees that as a slap in the face.

If Israel doesn't talk to Hamas then they are seen as not really dealing with the situation.

The Palestinians ought to consider holding new elections, although, the rift between the Fatah and Hamas sides seems pretty severe.

Perhaps someone new on the scene (like Barghouti) could help bring them together.

Hopefully Carter can persuade Hamas to moderate its approach and stop the Qassam attacks.

[bemildred]

4. Darn, I agree with everything you said. nt

[LeftishBrit]

5. Agree with all this

Unfortunately everything seems to depend on a lot of 'if's coming together at the right time on all sides - but we can hope!

[bemildred]

3. Assuming this is all true,

Hamas has said it will not accept Gaza only terms, so it will be of interest to see if they do. That Abbas opposes making any terms with Hamas is to be expected. Personally, I think this story may well be inflated or imaginary. However, it would make sense from a practical point of view for Hamas to accept, or at least it's easy to argue that. So I guess we wait and see if this vanishes in smoke like so many others, or not.

[Vegasaurus]

6. The fracture between Hamas and Fatah

renders any talk of "peace" with Israel as impossible.

First they need to have peace among themselves, and create a unified Palestinian position. At that point, they will be in a position to negotiate with Israel.

[bemildred]

7. Thank you for clarifying that.

I guess we are just doomed to perpetual war. Although I do wonder why Olmert is so anxious to be seen "negotiating" with Abbas, given the hopelessness of that effort.

[Vegasaurus]

8. I really have no idea why Olmer is doing this, except to please Bush

it actually seems like folly.

But I do believe that if the Palestinians don't get their own house in order, there is no point in discussing anything further.

There can't be peace with only Fatah, but Fatah and Hamas are also at war with one another.

First they must figure out how to get along.