Last update - 05:36 25/07/2006
Gaza groups ready to
deal on cease-fire, release of Shalit
By Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent
All groups in Gaza, including Hamas, would now accept a cease-fire
deal with Israel which would include releasing Gilad Shalit,
according to the Palestinian Agriculture Minister, who also heads
the coordinating committee of Palestinian organizations
there.
Ibrahim Al-Naja said the factions were ready to stop the Qassam
rocket fire if Israel's ceased all military moves against the
Palestinian factions in Gaza. They are also ready to release Shalit
in exchange for guaranteeing the future release of Palestinian
prisoners.
Hamas leaders did not confirm this report on Monday, but if it is
true, then this is the first time that Hamas has indicated its
acceptance of the Egyptian proposal to solve the crisis.
Egypt's proposal did not include an Israeli commitment to the
immediate release of Palestinian prisoners, only guarantees for
their future release.
Al-Naja said the Palestinian faction's conditions were that the
cease-fire would be mutual and Israel would stop all its actions
against the Palestinians.
He also said Israel must provide clear guarantees to free veteran
prisoners, minors and female prisoners incarcerated in
Israel.
"This initiative was presented in an attempt to alleviate
Palestinian suffering, but now it depends on Israel, which is
showing no indication yet of its willingness for a cease-fire," he
said.
PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas will present the understandings among the
Palestinian factions to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at
their meeting on Tuesday, Palestinian sources said.