An unofficial deal seems to be in the works thanks to Egyptian mediation. The Palestinian movement will stop rocket launches; in exchange the Jewish state will stop targeted attacks and military raids.

London (AsiaNews/Agencies) – A 30-day cease-fire trial period between Israel and Hamas is Israel’s precondition on dealing with the Islamist movement. The proposal was presented through Egyptian mediators. The report comes from two London-based Arabic papers that found echo in Israel’s press.

Al-Hayat, quoted an Egyptian source as saying that the specific Israeli conditions for the 30-days test period included a complete halt of rocket attacks against Israel and on construction of smuggling tunnels along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Al-Quds al-Arabi added that the demand was presented to Egyptian officials by Amos Gilad, who heads the Defence Ministry's Diplomatic-Security Bureau.

For his part, Hamas spokesman in Gaza, Aiman Taha, maintained that the calm should be mutual, simultaneous and all-inclusive, i.e. it should include lifting the blockade around Gaza.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also said to be in close contact with Egyptian authorities to make sure that the truce will include the West Bank.

• israel
• palestine
• gaza
• west
• bank
• truce
• cease-fire
• hamas
• al-hayat
• al-quds
• al-arabi
• aiman
• taha
• amos
• gilad
• mahmoud
• abbas