Head of the Israeli Defense Ministry's political-security department Amos Gilad met yesterday with chief of the Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman to discuss the terms of the truce in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has denied postponement of its delegation's visit to Cairo, adding that there was no specific date for the visit. Gilad's talks have focused on the tangible actions that should be taken to prevent arms smuggling across the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, well-informed sources said. For his part, Hamas leader Mohamed Nasr said: "a date has not been fixed for the delegation's visit to Egypt."
In a telephone call from Damascus to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Nasr said: "the Egyptian invitation is not directed to all factions, as reported by the media, but it calls for a meeting between Hamas and the officials in Cairo to discuss the issue of crossings, the siege and the Israeli aggression's ramifications on Gaza." Nasr denied that Hamas linked its delegation's visit to Cairo to a Turkish mediation. The Turkish mediation has moved with Egypt, so the movement welcomes any Arab or human effort to help the Gazans, he said.
In a related development, Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha said: "The movement had told the Turkish envoy to Egypt that Cairo is the only mediator to achieve calm and a cease-fire." The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine leader Rabah Muhanna said the front will not participate in Cairo dialogue. Secretary-General of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Nayef Hawatmeh said: "a delegation from the front led by member of the Political Bureau Saleh Zeidan will visit Cairo in the next few days to discuss conditions of the Gaza Strip in particular and the Palestinian territories in general."
Israeli Haaretz said Tel Aviv is ready to pay a painful price in exchange for securing the release of the captured soldier Gilad Shalit.
The paper quoted Israeli officials as saying "Israel has eased its position before a possible deal to exchange prisoners with Hamas to restore Shalit."
The paper said it learned from a number of ministers that the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other ministers has previously rejected Hamas demands to release Shalit, but they have recently realized that there is no choice but to "pay the price". Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit said at a press conference that "neither Israel nor Egypt know the fate of Shalit, and whether he is alive or not."
