VOA News
16 Jun 2003, 10:48 UTC
The Palestinian militant group Hamas says it will consider Egypt's proposal for a cease-fire to stop terror attacks, but Israel says it would reject any short-term truce.
Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom says a truce that does not dismantle militant organizations would allow groups like Hamas to move about freely, to re-arm and attack Israel whenever they choose.
In Gaza today, an Egyptian delegation is holding more talks with Hamas and other Palestinian groups opposed to peace with Israel. After a meeting with Egyptian representatives Sunday, Hamas said it would study their cease-fire ideas.
Israeli news reports say leaders of Hamas would consider a cease-fire, provided that Israel promises to end its policy of targeted killings, incursions and military strikes in Palestinian territory.
U.S. diplomatic efforts to end the violence also continue today, with U.S. envoy John Wolf meeting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and other senior officials.
Mr. Sharon told a meeting of his cabinet Sunday that if militants agree to a cease-fire, Israel would largely respect it. But he reserved the right to take action against what he termed "ticking bombs", militants about to carry out attacks, and those who direct them.
A senior Sharon aide, Dov Weisglass, is due in Washington today for talks with President Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice.
President Bush said Sunday the world "must deal harshly with Hamas," which he accuses of trying to destroy the Middle East peace process. Mr. Bush says peace between Israel and the Palestinians is possible, even after more than a week of Palestinian attacks and Israeli retaliations that together have killed at least 60 people.
The flurry of diplomatic activity comes as Palestinians and Israelis appear close to an agreement to remove Israeli forces from northern Gaza, and possibly Bethlehem in the West Bank, in exchange for guarantees that the Palestinian Authority will maintain security in those areas.
This would be an early step in the internationally drafted "road map" to peace. The plan includes an end to Palestinian violence and the dismantling of Israeli settlements, leading to a Palestinian state in 2005. The United States developed the road map with Russia, the United Nations and the European Union.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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