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Last update - 17:47 16/06/2008 Hamas: Gaza truce deal with Israel is in sight By Amos Harel, Avi Issacharoff and Fadi Eyadat, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Israel, Egypt, Hamas  Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said Monday that there was a successful conclusion in sight in Egyptian-sponsored talks on a truce, or tahadiyeh, in the Gaza Strip between the Islamist group and Israel. "The talks underway in Egypt on calm are nearing an end, an end that would bring about what the Palestinian people aspire to - a lifting of the siege, the opening of the crossings and an end to the aggression," Haniyeh told a gathering in Gaza. "We are committed to these demands ... A reciprocal and simultaneous calm that begins in Gaza and then extends to the West Bank," Haniyeh said. Advertisement A few hours later, Hamas, which seized control of the Gaza Strip in a violent coup a year ago, said it fired a rocket into Ashkelon, in Israel's south, wounding one Israeli. Meanwhile, Israel is still waiting for Egypt's answer on several oustanding issues regarding the temporary cease-fire The Egyptian reply is expected later this week. A Hamas delegation from Gaza has been in Cairo over the past two days, for talks with the heads of Egyptian intelligence. Israel and Egypt have yet to finalize two issues: Defining the connection between the tahadiyeh and a deal for the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and determining the degree of Egypt's commitment to countering arms smuggling from Sinai into Gaza. Defense sources in Israel said Sunday night that "it is important to understand that the meaning of the agreement with the Egyptians is that within several days after the cease-fire goes into effect, intensive negotiations begin over Gilad Shalit's release. This will be a tough deal to complete - therefore the government will be called upon to make tough decisions to bring Gilad home." The sources hinted at the heavy price Hamas will demand: releasing hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, many of whom were convicted of murder for their involvement in major terror attacks. Related articles: Report: Israel won't condition Gaza cease-fire on Gilad Shalit's release Despite Egypt snub, Syria is returning to the Arab fold Editorial / No good reason for Gaza op U.S. Army training Egyptians to find and destroy smuggling tunnels Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   Stop dithering & get Gilad home first! 04:19  |  Free Gilad Shalit 16/06/08   2.   "It`s been mostly quiet for 3 days..." 05:20  |  David 16/06/08   3.   Truce and Shalit 07:05  |  Gregor 16/06/08   4.   Should we trust Egypt ? 08:15  |  Jean Van Daem 16/06/08   5.   To David # 2 - Good Post David...... 08:54  |  Dagma 16/06/08   6.   For David # 2 09:15  |  Clickfool 16/06/08   7.   To # 6 David - Universal Popular Suppoort for `Palestinians 12:07  |  The Threadmill 16/06/08   8.   What A Pity! Olmert oh Olmert........ 12:18  |  Natasha 16/06/08   9.   remember 3k years ago in egypt 14:36  |  salomon 16/06/08   10.   Clicky....Hamas does a good job 15:03  |  Lynn 16/06/08   11.   to david 17:53  |  matilda 16/06/08   12.   lynn thats biggest bs 19:03  |  khaled 16/06/08   13.   This is such BS. 19:50  |  Mark 16/06/08   14.   Preliminaries 21:53  |  Natallie Durson 16/06/08   15.   SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW 00:14  |  * BEN JABO 17/06/08   16.   Saloman remembering 3,000 years ago 00:30  |  Bill H. 17/06/08

Read & React Rice to Israel: 'Extremely important' to grant Gaza Fulbright students exit visas Responses: 158 Akiva Eldar: Our fixation on Iran leads world to see Israel as the cause of tension Responses: 152 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets fired from Gaza hit Ashkelon Responses: 91 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing for return of troops Responses: 78 Battle of the attitude: Israeli girls vs. American Jews Responses: 80 Rosner's Domain Dovish Jewish lobby endorses seven candidates Obama, McCain aides agree: Israel, U.S. must discuss strike on Iran New Guests: What young Jewish American want World: U.S policy "will change for the better" (WTR) Poll: When should Israel have elections? More Headlines 21:10 Israeli hurt as Grad-type rockets hit Ashkelon 01:09 UN special envoy criticizes Israel for talks with Syria 23:59 Heftziba CEO Yona, who left hundreds homeless, gets 7 years in jail under plea deal 21:13 Iran, fearing sanctions, said to have pulled $75b from EU banks 22:59 UN official who compared Israel to Nazis turns the spotlight on Palestinians 23:42 Bush, Musharraf, Ahmadinejad top least-trusted leaders list 22:57 Deputy Defense Min.: Residents of southern Israel should stop complaining about Qassams 15:39 Family of captive soldier: Deal with Hezbollah developing 00:37 Rice, in Beirut, voices U.S. backing for gov't that ups Hezbollah's power 21:21 Katsav lawyers slam 'public lynch' over sex crime charges 21:26 Nazi sheltered by Austria as too ill for trial, seen enjoying Euro 2008 21:42 Haredis won't protest Jerusalem Gay Pride parade to minimize its publicity 17:47 Hamas: Gaza truce deal with Israel is in sight 15:45 Germany mulls probe of Jewish group overseeing Holocaust restitution Previous Editions Select Day 16 jun 15 jun 13 jun 12 jun 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun

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