 Feb poll may result in a coalition of former PM Netanyahu's Likud, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu and conservative Jewish religious parties |
Egyptian officials advise Hamas leaders to accept a truce deal before Likud Chairman, Benjamin Netanyahu, is elected Israel's prime minister.
The London-based newspaper Asharq Al-Awsatreported on Monday that the Egyptian mediators attempted to persuade Hamas to accept Israel's conditions before a less cooperative government under Netanyahu comes to power, a circumstance under which Gaza government could "lose everything."
Egyptian warning comes as the latest surveys in Israel suggest that the former Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu, is likely to win the February 10 general elections.
Earlier in the day, Ayman Taha, Hamas' Gaza spokesman, who met with the heads of Egyptian mediation team, said Tel Aviv has offered to open the Gaza crossings and free 1,000 prisoners in exchange for the captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Egyptian warning comes as the latest surveys in Israel suggest that the former Prime Minister Netanyahu's Likud, the far-right Yisrael Beitenu, is likely to win the February 10 general elections.
Earlier in the day, Ayman Taha, Hamas' Gaza spokesman, who met with the heads of Egyptian mediation team, said Tel Aviv has offered to open the Gaza crossings and free 1,000 prisoners in exchange for the captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Hamas rejected the offer on the grounds that it conditioned the opening of the border crossings to the release of Shalit, captured by Gaza fighters in a 2006 cross-border raid.
Meanwhile, the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat reported that Israel offered the movement an unlimited cease-fire, which was rejected by Hamas delegation.
Instead, Hamas offered a year-long truce "with guarantees that Israel shows commitment to lift the siege and completely reopen crossings."
Taha said the group would only agree to a cease-fire for a period between a yeat to 18 months. Ismail Radwan, another Hamas official, also said that a long-term cease-fire "kills" Palestinians' right of resistance.
On Sunday, a Hamas delegation met with the heads of Egyptian intelligence who is mediating negotiations between the movement and Israel. In 2007, Cairo brokered a six-month ceasefire between the two nations that ended on December 19 -- a week before Israel all-out military strike against the Gaza Strip.
Israel Launched Operation Cast Lead against the costal sliver allegedly to put an end to rocket-firings into southern Israeli towns. At least 1,330 Palestinians died during the offensive, while some 5,450 others were reported wounded.
Meanwhile, the London-based newspaper Al-Hayat reported that Israel offered the movement an unlimited cease-fire, which was rejected by Hamas delegation.
Instead, Hamas offered a year-long truce "with guarantees that Israel shows commitment to lift the siege and completely reopen crossings."
Taha said the group would only agree to a cease-fire for a period between a yeat to 18 months. Ismail Radwan, another Hamas official, also said that a long-term cease-fire "kills" Palestinians' right of resistance.
On Sunday, a Hamas delegation met with the heads of Egyptian intelligence who is mediating negotiations between the movement and Israel. In 2007, Cairo brokered a six-month ceasefire between the two nations that ended on December 19 -- a week before Israel all-out military strike against the Gaza Strip.
Israel Launched Operation Cast Lead against the costal sliver allegedly to put an end to rocket-firings into southern Israeli towns. At least 1,330 Palestinians died during the offensive, while some 5,450 others were reported wounded.
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