Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., June 16, 2008 Sivan 13, 5768 | | Israel Time: 03:17 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Sources: Israel agrees in principle to cease-fire proposal with Hamas By Amos Harel, Yossi Melman, Avi Issacharoff and Yuval Azoulay Tags: Hamas, cease-fire, Israel Israel has agreed in principle to an Egyptian-mediated proposal for a cease-fire and the opening of intensive talks for the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, security and government sources said yesterday. The sources said that Defense Ministry official Major General (res.) Amos Gilad has relayed Israel's positions to Egyptian intelligence chief General Omar Suleiman. A delegation of Hamas leaders is to meet today in Cairo with Suleiman to hear Israel's position. The delegation is headed by the Damascus-based deputy chief of Hamas' political wing, Musa Abu Marzuk, and senior Hamas leaders from Gaza. According to the outlines of the deal, Egypt will announce that Hamas and the other armed groups in Gaza have decided on a cease-fire, and Israel will stop responding to fire from Gaza. Israel has not agreed to Hamas' demand to extend the cease-fire to the West Bank but has told the Egyptians that quiet in Gaza will reflect on the chances for quiet in the West Bank as well. Advertisement Israel has also refused to agree to Hamas' demand that the cease-fire agreement include an opening of the border crossings into Gaza, but has said it will ease the economic blockade of the Strip. The Rafah crossing is under Palestinian-Egyptian control. However, Egypt reportedly wants to open it only as part of the agreement with Israel. Israel apparently wants to delay the opening of the Rafah crossing until significant progress is made in a prisoner swap. Hamas spokesmen last week said Shalit would be released only in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, and not as part of the cease-fire agreement. Yesterday the London-based Arabic daily Asharq Alawsat reported that Israel had agreed to forego a link between Shalit's release and the cease-fire. Shalit's father, Noam Shalit, said Israeli officials have assured him that his son's release is an integral part of cease-fire discussions. Israel is reportedly willing to exchange Shalit for 450 terrorists, to be released in two stages. Weekend mortar attacks Palestinians yesterday fired three mortars and two anti-tank missiles at Israel Defense Forces soldiers patrolling the security fence around the Gaza Strip. There were no injuries, but one missile struck an IDF bulldozer. Earlier yesterday a volley of three mortars were fired at Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Friday night, an Israel Air Force missile targeted two armed terrorists in the area of Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip, but missed its mark. Earlier Friday, three mortars were fired from the Gaza Strip; two fell in the vicinity of Kibbutz Kissufim and one fell near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. No injuries or damage were reported. Meanwhile, in the West Bank yesterday morning, IDF special forces blockaded the village of Deheisha near Bethlehem where intelligence information had pinpointed a senior terror leader. The IDF said some 200 Palestinians threw stones and explosive devices at the troops and IDF forces responded with crowd control measures as well as live fire. During protests against the separation fence at Bil'in by Israeli left-wing activists and foreign citizens, soldiers shot a Palestinian in the leg after they saw him damaging the fence, an IDF source said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Snoop Dogg in Israel American rapper Snoop Dogg slated to perform in Ramat Gan. Late date Scientists revive 2,000-year-old date seed found at Masada.

Read & React Rice: Settlement building may harm Israel-PA talks Responses: 241 Gideon Levy: Europe's hatred of Muslims makes it back Israel despite occupation Responses: 153 Olmert aides: Israel and Syria may hold direct talks soon Responses: 175 No murder charges for suspects in lynch of Jewish terrorist Responses: 69 More Headlines 02:28 Syria and Israel aiming for direct talks by next month 02:56 Israel awaiting Egypt's answer to remaining issues of Gaza truce deal 00:08 Study: Israelis rank fourth in list of world workaholics 19:39 Epiphany in a Spanish neo-Nazi bookstore 00:08 Rice to Israel: 'Extremely important' to grant exit visas to Gaza Fulbright students 02:59 Battle of the attitude / Israeli girls vs. American Jews 22:36 No murder charges for suspects in lynch of Jewish terrorist 22:53 Lebanon terrorist's lawyer: No word to us on imminent release 21:37 Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran 18:04 Rice: Settlement construction has 'negative effect' on talks 20:20 Teacher collapses and dies during soccer tournament at school Previous Editions Select Day 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun

Special Offers Advertisement In the heart of Tel-Aviv The Meier on Rothschild tower Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved