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Last update - 14:20 27/03/2008 Egypt holds new talks with Hamas, Jihad over truce with Israel By News Agencies Tags: Hamas, Israel, Egypt  Egypt held a new round of talks with Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Thursday as part of efforts to strike a truce between the Palestinian militant groups and Israel, Egyptian sources close to the talks said. Egypt, with U.S. blessing, has been trying to negotiate a cessation of hostilities between Israel and the militants from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. The sources, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said the talks were held on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing and attended by Hamas official Jamal Abu Hashem and Khaled al-Batsh of Islamic Jihad. Advertisement General Mohamed Ibrahim, a senior aide to Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, represented Egypt, they added without elaboration. Thursday's meeting also addressed the release of a Hamas leader who was detained by Egypt and accused of planning suicide attacks inside the country. Palestinian and Egyptian officials say Ayman Nawfal's release is expected to impede the cease-fire talks. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. Hamas, which took control of the Gaza Strip in June after routing the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, has set out its conditions for a ceasefire with Israel. The conditions include an end of Israeli hostilities and the reopening of the Gaza border crossings. Hamas has also demanded a say in running the crossings, a condition that Israel rejects. The Jewish state wants Hamas and other militants in the coastal strip to stop cross-border rocket attacks on Israel. Following earlier talks between Egypt and the Palestinian groups, Cairo released 33 Hamas militants who had been detained after breaching the border wall in Rafah in January. Egypt has also promised to boost power supplies to Gaza. Related articles: Hamas: Cease-fire deal must include West Bank Hamas, Jihad meet Cairo officials to discuss truce, opening Rafah crossing Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal on long-term Gaza truce Egyptian president warns Israel: No occupation lasts forever Bookmark to del.icio.us   Best served cold Safed chief rabbi calls on state to exact 'revenge' against Arabs. The Jewish hurdle Obama: I disagree with aide who blamed 'NY, Miami' for failed peace talks.

Today Online Rights group: Deaths in IDF W. Bank raid were apparent executions Responses: 137 Top rabbis: Harvesting organs of the brain dead is `bloodshed` Responses: 47 Defense officials: Hezbollah rockets can reach almost all of Israel Responses: 60 Ari Shavit: Olmert doesn't belong in the prime minister's office Responses: 16 Shmuel Rosner: Bush is now behaving like a responsible adult Responses: 16 Rosner's Domain New pro-Israel-pro-peace dovish lobby ready to launch (WTR) Bush is still determined not to repeat Clinton's mistakes Poll: what percentage Jews will vote McCain? Obama rejects advisor's comments on American Jews and peace process Kurtzer: The pro-Israel lobby, not obstacle for peace More Headlines 17:40 Defense officials: Hezbollah rockets can reach almost all of Israel 17:56 Syrian FM: Israel must show commitment to peace process 14:20 Egypt holds new talks with Hamas, Jihad over truce with Israel 10:53 Israel posts clips on YouTube of J'lem yeshiva terror attack 17:22 Bush invites Abbas to U.S. for talks on Palestinian state 15:10 MKs okay state-funded center commemorating Gaza settlers 17:55 Ex-High Court chief: State must bring all Ethiopian Jews to Israel 10:34 Rights group: Deaths in IDF Bethlehem raid were apparent executions 16:23 Knesset panel okays regulations to combat 'dead voters' 16:20 421 children report having been victims of incest in 2007 11:51 Police seize 63 kilos of hashish, guns in Givat Shmuel apartment 08:32 Barak confirms transfer of armored vehicles to PA 08:45 Top rabbis: Harvesting organs of the brain dead is `bloodshed` Previous Editions Select Day 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar

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