LONDON Ñ Egypt has pressed Fatah and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire on suicide
missions in Israel during the election campaign. The Palestinian insurgency
groups were told by Egypt and the European Union, which sponsored the
Fatah-Hamas talks, that attacks on civilian targets in Israel would
strengthen the reelection prospects of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
The London-based Al Hayat said Egyptian officials succeeded in obtaining
a commitment from the Iranian-backed Jihad for a respite in suicide missions
during Palestinian reconciliation talks last week in Cairo. The talks
included representatives from the ruling Fatah movement and the opposition
Hamas regarding the Palestinian war against Israel.
Jihad has claimed responsibility for a series of suicide missions in
November in northern Israel. The organization is said to have been bolstered
over the last few months with funding from Iran and cooperation from the
Lebanese-based Hizbullah.
Al Hayat reported on Sunday that a Jihad delegation, which did not
include leader Ramadan Shalah, had requested to be included in the
Fatah-Hamas talks. The newspaper said Egypt pledged to examine the request.
Fatah and Hamas met on Tuesday and Wednesday in a secret location in the
Cairo area. The meeting site was secured by Egyptian security officers and
contents of the session were not disclosed.
Earlier, Palestinian officials said Fatah and Hamas aim to reach
agreement that would end all attacks on civilians. But they said the
proposal was based on an Israeli pledge to end attacks on Palestinian
insurgency leaders.