GAZA CITY Ñ Egypt has failed to win a ceasefire agreement from
Palestinian insurgency groups.
An Egyptian security team failed to obtain an agreement from 13
Palestinian insurgency groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, for a
six-month ceasefire in the war against Israel. Palestinian sources said the
insurgency groups insisted that Israel submit guarantees that it will end
the targeting of their leaders and free Palestinian prisoners.
"Cease-fire means surrender to occupation," Hamas spokesman Ismail Abu
Shanab said. "The time is not for a truce. The time is for solidarity."
After two days of talks, the Egyptian team returned to Cairo, Middle East Newsline reported. The
sources said the ceasefire offer could be discussed in a meeting later this
month in Cairo. PA Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas was expected to meet Hamas on
Tuesday.
"We will not resort to a crackdown under any circumstances," PA Culture
Minister Ziad Abu Amr said. "It would be counterproductive."
On Tuesday, Palestinian gunners renewed mortar attacks on Israeli
communities in the Gaza Strip. Two Israelis were sent into shock when
mortars slammed into the community of Neve Dekalim.
Palestinian sources said the Egyptian offer was for a six-month
ceasefire that would expire after the establishment of an interim
Palestinian state. The United States has promised to help set up an interim
state by the end of 2003 and work for an entity with permanent borders by
2005.
Later, Palestinian sources said the Egyptian delegation pressed Hamas to
agree to an immediate ceasefire. The sources reported a meeting between
Egyptian Gen. Mustafa Behira and Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin in which the
Egyptian warned that Israel would invade the Gaza Strip. Yassin dismissed
the warning.
The sources said Yassin did not rule out the prospect that Hamas would
end attacks on Israel if its military halted assassinations of Islamic
insurgency leaders. They said Behira relayed to Yassin a written assurance
from the Israeli government.
In the West Bank, Israeli special operations forces captured the head of
Hamas in Kalkilya. The Hamas leader was identified as Jamal Daoud.
