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Major-General Amos Gilad (Channel 10) Last update - 14:27 25/05/2008 'If Egypt can't ensure security in our south, we'll find other ways' By Amos Harel, Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Hamas, Israel, Egypt, Gaza Prime Minister Ehud said on Sunday that if Egyptian efforts to mediate a truce with militants in the Gaza Strip fails to yield results, Israel will embark on other directives to ensure that calm returns to the south. "Israel wants quiet and full security for southern communities, and if that won't come to fruition through Egyptian mediation, it will be brought to fruition through other means," Olmert told ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. A Hamas official made a similar comment on Sunday, saying that if Israel and Egypt do not arrange to reopen the crossings to the Gaza Strip, the Islamist group would consider its "other options," according to Army Radio. Advertisement Vice Premier Haim Ramon on Sunday slammed the government over the truce talks, and said that if the cabinet were to vote on some sort of cease-fire with the organization, he would vote against it. "It is a serious mistake to hold negotiation with Hamas until we have isolated it from the world," Ramon said. "These negotiations give Hamas legitimacy and a tree to hang on for every state that wants discussion with Hamas." "An agreement with the group would give de facto recognition to Hamas' policy in Gaza and will bring an end to the Palestinian Authority and its leaders with whom we are conducting negotiations," he added. Meanwhile, Israeli and Egyptian officials are set to resume negotiations on Sunday regarding Cairo's proposal for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Major-General (res.) Amos Gilad, who heads the defense establishment's political-security branch, arrived in Egypt on Sunday for talks with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman. Despite the efforts, Israel has learned in recent days that the Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have rejected the truce proposals put forth by Jerusalem. Hamas is prepared to accept Israel's demand that the cease-fire begin first in the Gaza Strip, and then in the West Bank, but opposes accelerating the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit as part of the deal. Israel wants to link Shalit's release with the opening of the Rafah crossing and implementation of the tahadiyeh, but Hamas insists that these carry separate price tags A senior Hamas source said last week that the Egyptians have not tried to link the question of Shalit and the cease-fire. The same source said that the Hamas does not believe Israel will foil the tahdiyeh over Shalit. Hamas political bureau chief, Khaled Meshal, said on Saturday while in Tehran, that, "if the international community does not initiate step toward breaking the [economic] blockade, we'll break it ourselves. We insist the [border] crossings be opened, especially the Rafah crossing." Israel would agree to opening the crossings for commercial cargo only after the cease-fire has stood the test of time - and apparently only after progress has been made on Shalit's release. Meanwhile, militants in Gaza fired two Qassam rockets at western Israel on Sunday. There were no reports of injuries or damages in either incident. Related articles: Avoid all delays Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza could take effect later this week Palestinian official: Israel, Hamas still at odds over truce terms Bookmark to del.icio.us   'Shampoo' meets 'Munich' New Adam Sandler film stars Mossad hit man turned hairdresser. Rehab (live) Report: Singer Amy Winehouse is to undergo drug rehab in Israel.   1.   Where in the World is Gilad Shalit 12:22  |  J 25/05/08   2.   It`s coming ... get ready people ... 13:10  |  Yossi 25/05/08   3.   I don`t think 13:14  |  rm 25/05/08   4.   RETAKE PHILLI CORRIDOR!!!!! 13:48  |  Jacob 25/05/08   5.   Israel is not prepared for Anything 14:02  |  charlie 25/05/08   6.   SOMEBODY REMEMBERS THE 14:09  |  Robert 25/05/08   7.   So why doesn`t Ramon resign from the government! 14:36  |  redmike 25/05/08   8.   Olmert should set a time parameter 14:46  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   9.   #3 rm - If Israel were to pay the price 14:49  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   10.   Israel in control of the Egypt-Gaza border crossing. 15:28  |  Jean Van Daem 25/05/08   11.   Do we need a better prove ? 15:48  |  Akram Zekaria 25/05/08   12.   # 11. Akram Good post. True enough. 16:17  |  Stephen. 25/05/08   13.   # 11 to bad Israel is surrounded by Arabs 16:35  |  Wendy 25/05/08   14.   Ramon is lying 16:35  |  Frank 25/05/08   15.   right, don`t give legitimacy to israel`s policies 16:41  |  Ivan 25/05/08   16.   Olmert:"Achieving goals through other means" 16:50  |  Arie 25/05/08   17.   12# Stephen Thanks. Hit them hard. 16:53  |  Akram Zekaria 25/05/08   18.   Hamas was given legitimacy by the Palestinian people 17:02  |  Natallie Durson 25/05/08   19.   NUTallie Durson 17:14  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   20.   Anything coming from Olmert is LIES 18:14  |  Fred 25/05/08   21.   DIE Shalit tired of the innocent killings because of YOU 18:18  |  Fred 25/05/08   22.   jabo,now your in here calling people names,whats wrong with you 18:24  |  so devious 25/05/08   23.   Durson the Palestinians pay a high price for "legitimacy" 18:28  |  Conroy 25/05/08   24.   More SPIN, from the Livni-Barak-Olmert SPIN doctors!!! 18:55  |  Jason 25/05/08   25.   want a strong IDF...REPLACE barak for effie eitam as DM!! 18:57  |  Clark 25/05/08   26.   #21 FRED - CANADA 19:54  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   27.   #22 so obvious - just be happy 19:56  |  * BEN JABO 25/05/08   28.   Legitamcy Natalie 02:46  |  Tom 26/05/08

Read & React Yehuda Ben Meir: Accusation of Olmert spin over Syria talks comes from the media Send response Anaysis / Price of quiet in Lebanon is Hezbollah in power Responses: 20 Shin Bet chief: Hamas threat increasing Responses: 24 U.S. professor gives Israeli prize money to Palestinian university Responses: 9 Rosner's Domain Explaining Hagee's Holocaust remarks Poll: Peace between Israel & Syria? Should American Jews Embrace Living Double Lives? Rosner's Guests: can "decisive victory" against guerilla achieved? Blame the Israel Lobby for Clinton's loss? (WTR) More Headlines 08:54 Shin Bet chief: Hamas threat increasing 07:54 The Gaza front / Truce looks farther away 10:38 Palestinians reject Israeli offer to hand over 91.5% of W. Bank 09:09 New Lebanon President lauds Hezbollah, but eyes its disarmament 10:39 ANALYSIS / Price of quiet in Lebanon is Hezbollah in power 10:34 U.S. prof. gives Israeli prize money to Palestinian university 09:31 Legal source: Cash envelopes alone may not prove charges against Ehud Olmert 09:48 Netanyahu, on Syria talks: Peace with dictatorial state won't last 09:38 In the battle for Kadima, Mofaz to target Livni 04:35 Ashdod residents unfazed by report of rising Hamas threat 06:55 And in the starring role ... a sesame dip 10:26 Avram Grant leaves Chelsea with reputation enhanced Previous Editions Select Day 25 may 23 may 22 may 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may

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