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Noam Shalit, father of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit. (Tess Scheflan / Jini) Last update - 15:45 21/05/2008 Palestinian official: Israel, Hamas still at odds over truce terms By :By Amos Harel and Jack Khoury Tags: Gilad Shalit, Israel, Gaza  Israel and Hamas still differ on terms for a ceasefire that Egypt is mediating, a Palestinian official familiar with the talks said on Wednesday. Egypt issued a statement late on Tuesday saying Israel had agreed on the terms of the truce as presented to them by Egyptian mediators. The Palestinian official said Israel agreed to stop ground raids and air s Advertisement trikes in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip if militants halted rocket attacks, but had not accepted the group's demands to reopen the territory's border crossings as soon as a cease-fire begins. "Israel offered calm for calm, and said it would assess the situation and alleviate the blockade as calm prevails," said the official, who declined to be identified. He said Egypt would inform Israel of Hamas's response later on Wednesday after mediators met officials from the group. The Egyptian intelligence chief, General Omar Suleiman, and his staff held additional talks Tuesday in Egypt with representatives of the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip. Egypt is trying to get a binding agreement by Hamas and the smaller factions to a cease-fire with Israel in Gaza. Israel is waiting for a detailed Egyptian answer regarding the Palestinian positions, due toward the end of this week. Defense officials believe the clashes of the past few days will not have an impact on the Egyptian effort, and have suggested that if Cairo succeeds in getting all of the factions onboard, it will be possible to reach a temporary cease-fire, also known by the Arabic term "tahadiyeh." Noam Shalit, father of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, told Haaretz Tuesday that despite the reports of an impending truce, he has not received any update from defense establishment representatives or government officials regarding the Israeli stance on a cease-fire with Hamas. "I do not know of any development," Mr. Shalit said. He added that his position regarding the temporary cease-fire agreement was conveyed in a personal letter he wrote to the prime minister and defense minister, in which he stated that it was inconceivable that Israel would accept a truce agreement of any kind without ensuring Gilad's return home, or at least his transfer to Egypt pending completion of the prisoner release negotiations. Asked whether he feels like his son has been abandoned by the government, should it transpire that Israel consented to a truce without Gilad Shalit's release, he said: "I cannot comment on anything unofficial. So far, I have neither heard nor received any official information on this matter." Related articles: Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week PA forces in Jenin have shifted gears, striving to disarm Hamas 3 killed, including teen, in Gaza Strip air strike Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.   1.   The government of Israel 05:47  |  Mark Lincoln 21/05/08   2.   Hamas truce 07:34  |  Reid 21/05/08   3.   The solution to terror. 08:14  |  Jean Van Daem 21/05/08   4.   LIVE 08:48  |  HUSAM 21/05/08   5.   Cease fire without Gilad Shalit will not pass! Also ... 09:10  |  Dani 21/05/08   6.   To LIVE in GAZA 10:21  |  MikeTS 21/05/08   7.   Some smaller factions may commit 16:30  |  * BEN JABO 21/05/08   8.   Lincoln`s reasonable lies 16:58  |  peter 21/05/08   9.   Lincoln - Hurry up & join Abe 17:12  |  * BEN JABO 21/05/08   10.   The Israelis refuse to release Arabs with blood on their hands, 20:39  |  Jean Van Daem 21/05/08   11.   good. there is no benefit for israel in `truce` w/ killer toads. 20:59  |  frenz 21/05/08

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