Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., May 03, 2008 Nisan 28, 5768 | | Israel Time: 20:04 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Shas leader Eli Yishai (Left) meeting former U.S. president Jimmy Carter. (Nir Keidar) Talks with Hamas / One stage or many? By Zvi Bar'el Tags: Israel, Hamas If Jimmy Carter manages to help get Hamas to release kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, then the former president, who during his term in office was unable to get Iran to release 52 American hostages, will be able to chalk up the release of one Israeli hostage, at least. Carter proposed that Hamas declare a unilateral cease-fire for a week or two, make some sort of "humanitarian gesture," sign an agreement to open the Rafah crossing, and have its representatives meet with Industry, Trade and Employment Minister Eli Yishai. Israel would release 400 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Shalit. Hamas has "for now" rejected the proposal to meet with Yishai. Most of its leaders also insist that the deal be more all-inclusive and simultaneous: They want the cease-fire to extend to both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and they want the Palestinian prisoners to be released when the crossings between Gaza and Egypt are opened. Advertisement Hamas leaders disagreed yesterday over the implementation of such an arrangement. Khaled Meshal, who is based in Damascus, and Mahmoud al-Zahar, in Gaza, want a comprehensive deal to show a sorely needed political achievement. However, the prime minister in the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, believes the issue of the crossings can be solved separately. His aides say he will agree to a cease-fire independent of the other demands, as long as it is bilateral. Hamas is becoming a strategic player among Arab countries, and is influencing Israel-Egypt ties. This is because Cairo wants a quick solution to the crossings so that its border with Gaza is not breached again. If this were to happen, it would make Egypt responsible for the Palestinians in the Strip. But the crossings will not open without Hamas consent. Hamas is willing to accept the 2005 crossings agreement, on the condition that the authority of the Palestinian Authority police (who answer to Ramallah) and the European Union observers there is limited. Egypt is willing to supervise the crossings, but Israel does not trust it to prevent wanted men from passing through. The atmosphere between Hamas and Egypt further heated up yesterday when Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abdul Gheit said that a Palestinian unity government including Hamas might impair the peace process. Hamas demanded Gheit retract the statement, saying it harmed efforts at internal Palestinian reconciliation, to which Egypt is a party. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Security first Foreign Minister Livni tells the PA to ensure terrorists don't exploit Israel's gestures. Terrorist pride Lebanon-based guerillas Hezbollah say they're proud to appear on the U.S. terrorist list.   1.   The Individual and Israel`s larger Interests 10:43  |  Proud Israeli 21/04/08   2.   This Handshake by Carter must be making.... 12:42  |  Magnify 21/04/08   3.   fact checking needed 12:43  |  Luke 21/04/08   4.   Hamas STILL does not recognize Israel`s right to exist. 14:02  |  Questions 21/04/08   5.   Carter plans to do a great deal more against Israel. 15:40  |  Chaim 21/04/08   6.   "Israel does not trust Egypt" 15:48  |  Rowan (Niqnaq) 21/04/08   7.   The prisoner exchange has fallen through because israel will not 15:50  |  lakshmi 21/04/08   8.   Carter is doing a better job than Blair 16:29  |  Stuart 21/04/08   9.   Carter is an anti-Semite and should not be listed to 20:26  |  elianna 21/04/08   10.   Dhimi Carter loves Arab money! 20:54  |  Menachem Ben Yakov 21/04/08   11.   ELIANNA, PROVE YOUR ALLEGATION OR ELSE YOU DIMINISH ONLY YOURSELF 22:29  |  JH 21/04/08   12.   Carter is a loser 03:56  |  Elizabeth 22/04/08   13.   how sour are your grapes today? 09:20  |  pain-killer 22/04/08   14.   carter is NOT a loser... 09:25  |  farsight 22/04/08

Read & React Livni: PA must ensure terrorists don`t exploit our W. Bank moves Responses: 281 IDF releases clip clearing itself of blame for Gaza family deaths Responses: 229 U.S. envoy cuts short Hebron trip after clash with settlers Responses: 165 Top legal source: In new scandal, doubtful if Olmert can continue as PM Responses: 131 Gaza sewage pumped into the sea over past three months Responses: 121 More Headlines 14:23 Labor MK Pines-Paz: Mazuz should publicize details of PM probe 14:21 Major powers offer Iran fresh incentives to halt nuke program 18:24 Kuwaiti paper: Hamas willing to show flexibility over Shalit 17:36 Lebanese Druze leader: Expel Iranian ambassador from Beirut 10:18 Egypt's Islamic opposition slams gov't over gas deal with Israel 12:02 Palestinian forces en route to Jenin for large-scale security op 11:39 The Palestinian Rothschilds 14:37 Jordan's king: Progress on peace could bring ties with Arab world 18:17 Girl, 6, and boy, 12, die in house fires in Hadera, Lod 05:04 Syria: U.S. nuclear reactor allegations aim to create Mideast crisis Previous Editions Select Day 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr

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