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February 9, 2009

Egypt: New Gaza Truce Possible Soon
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=222B598:A6F02AD83191E1602EF6A02A743B1B407F0EB4B66EA3A89D&
 
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak talked in Paris after meeting with
French President Nicolas Sarkozy 
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says a longer-term truce between Israel
and Palestinians in Gaza may be reached next week. French President
Nicolas Sarkozy, left, welcomes Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the
Elysee Palace in Paris, 09 Feb 2009Mr. Mubarak's country has been
mediating a more durable cease-fire. He spoke in Paris Monday after
meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. Israeli leaders are
considering an Egyptian proposal for an 18-month truce and prisoner swap
with Hamas, which controls Gaza. A U.N. aid agency in Gaza said today
that Hamas has returned humanitarian supplies it seized last week,
clearing the way for the agency to resume operations in the territory.
The agency has been playing a key role in distributing aid to Gazans,
who are trying to rebuild their impoverished region after Israel's
three-week offensive and continuing blockade. Under the Egyptian truce
proposal, Israel and Egypt would open at least two border crossings with
Gaza, easing the!
  blockade. Hamas has demanded an end to the blockade as part of a
truce. Israeli and Arab media say the plan also calls for Hamas
militants to free an Israeli soldier in return for Israel releasing
hundreds of Palestinians, some accused of involvement in deadly attacks.
Israel has demanded the release of its soldier and a stop to attacks
from Gaza. Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel declared unilateral
cease-fires on January 18th, ending a major Israeli offensive in the
territory. Since then, Gaza militants have fired rockets sporadically at
Israel, and the Israeli military has responded with air strikes. Israeli
artillery fire in northern Gaza Monday killed a Palestinian with the
militant group Islamic Jihad. Hours earlier, Israeli officials said the
military launched air strikes in Gaza, hitting two Hamas outposts in
retaliation for rockets fired into Israel Sunday. Some information for
this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.


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