Hamas will mull Israeli response before announcing outcome of ceasefire talks

Date: 22 / 05 / 2008 Time: 13:31
Gaza – Ma'an –

Hamas leaders said they would make announcement soon about the outcome of Egyptian-brokered ceasefire talks, after they returned to the Gaza Strip from a round of talks in Cairo on Thursday.

The Hamas officials plan to hold internal discussions about the talks before making any announcement.

Hamas spokesperson Isma'il Radwan said, "Even after the delegation returns to Gaza, we can not assume that the case is closed, so let’s wait for their response."

Egypt has been attempting to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian fighters in Gaza. Egyptian mediator Umar Sulaiman traveled to Israel earlier in May to present Egypt’s plan to open some of Gaza’s borders and bring an end to hostilities.

Radwan added that Hamas has received the Israeli response to Egypt’s proposal through the Egyptian mediators, and that Hamas commented to the Egyptians on the Israeli response. After internal consultations, we will update the Palestinian people on the latest developments on that track, he said.

"Our comments and inquiries given to the Egyptian mediators do not mean the ceasefire endeavors have come to an impasse,” he added.

As for the issue of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Radwan said, "Shalit has nothing to do with the ceasefire, and that is all we can tell the press about that file."

Israeli officials have demanded that Shalit be released as a part of any ceasefire deal.

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