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Hamas Delegation in Egypt for Cease-Fire Talks

By VOA News 08 February 2009

Israel's military says a rocket fired from Gaza has struck southern Israel, in violation of an informal truce.

Military officials say the rocket set at least one car ablaze Sunday, but caused no injuries.

Palestinian militants have sporadically fired rockets into Israel since the nation ended its three-week-long military offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers on January 18.


Senior Hamas leader Mahmud Zahar (l) and top Hamas official Said Siam (r) return from Egypt at the border at Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 02 Feb 2009
A delegation from the Palestinian militant group, led by a top Gaza official, is in Egypt for talks on a long-term cease-fire with Israel.

The official, Mahmud Zahar, and several other Hamas representatives are expected to meet with Egyptian officials in Cairo.

This is the first time Zahar has appeared in public since Israel launched its offensive against Hamas.

Egypt has been trying to mediate a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, which have been observing an unwritten cease-fire since the end of last month.

One of Israel's top goals in the peace talks is to win the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit. In a television interview on Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said a "supreme effort" was being made to accelerate the process needed for Schalit's release.

Hamas has called on Israel to lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Separately, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated his desire for rival Palestinian factions to unite and form a consensus government to deal with Israel. He made the comments during his visit with Turkey's President Abdullah Gul in Ankara on Saturday.

Mr. Abbas's Palestinian Authority controls the West Bank.



Original Article: http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-02-07-voa23.cfm