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Former defense officials call for indirect talks with Hamas By Amos Harel Former senior defense and security officials have called on the government to conduct indirect negotiations with Hamas on a long-term cease-fire. Among the signatories of the letter, whose content was made public Friday on Channel 2, were former Mossad head Ephraim Halevi; former chief of staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak; Brigadier General (res.) Shmuel Zakai, former commander of Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip; and MK Yossi Beilin (Meretz), among the architects of the Oslo accords and the Geneva Initiative. Advertisement Copies of the letter were sent to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The letter recommends against a large-scale military operation in Gaza, which the signatories say will end with a cease-fire in any case, but after heavy losses on both sides. "Recognizing that ending the Hamas regime in Gaza is not a realistic goal and that reinstating Fatah in the Gaza Strip by means of Israeli bayonets is not desirable ... non-public negotiations should take place with Hamas through Egypt or anyone else acceptable to both sides," they wrote. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas should be involved in such negotiations, the letter also says. In addition to a long-term cease-fire, the talks should also bring about the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. The writers note that they represent various approaches to the final status agreement, but all agree on the need for a stable cease-fire with Hamas. The letter also states, "Hamas could prevent the shelf agreement Israel is seeking with the PLO by the end of 2008, by increasing violence from Gaza or actions in the West Bank, and a cease-fire could be the only way to prevent this from happening." "The letter was sent a month ago," Lipkin-Shahak told Haaretz. "I understand that this is more or less what is happening on the ground, although not because of us. In my opinion it is correct to speak with Egypt to reach a cease-fire with Hamas, on the condition that it includes all the organizations in the Strip and does not apply to the West Bank." Beilin said he believed Egypt could limit arms smuggling if they were allowed to post more troops on the border. The writers also said the U.S., which now opposes talks with Hamas - in part because of Israel's opposition - should be called on to assist. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nothing to fear Nancy Pelosi in Israel: I trust all presidential candidates in regard to Israel. Bonfire drama Mount Meron grave of famed rabbi at center of ownership row between rival Sephardic and Ashkenazic trusts.

Read & React Is Israel breaking its own taboo on talks with Hamas? Responses: 74 Egypt: If Israel agrees, Gaza truce could begin tomorrow Responses: 134 Lebanon government challenges Hezbollah on weapons arsenal Responses: 72 Bush says he's hopeful for democratic reform in Middle East Responses: 58 More Headlines 00:31 Bin Laden: All Muslims must help end Gaza siege 21:22 Egypt: If Israel agrees, Gaza truce could begin tomorrow 23:50 Obama: Mideast peace deal likely if sides show compromise 21:00 Mazuz: Ruling on Olmert probe unlikely in next few weeks 22:38 MK Beilin: Abbas says he'll quit if peace deal not set in 6 months 21:24 ROSNER'S GUESTS: Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff 21:28 Google co-founder: My family left Russia because of anti-Semitism 01:21 Herzliya buries local resident Ran Mesika, murdered in U.S. 01:30 Jerusalem police probe possible gang rape of disabled woman 19:06 Gaza cafe bombed amid crackdown on Western pop culture 18:38 Bush says he's hopeful for democratic reform in Middle East 20:41 Negev leaders: We'll force government to stop Qassam fire 21:32 Pelosi: I trust all presidential candidates in regard to Israel Previous Editions Select Day 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may

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