WORLD> Middle East
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WORLD> Middle East
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Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza truce
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-17 23:54 He said any commitment to a level of supplies into the Gaza Strip would be kept "vague on purpose" and that the enclave's main crossing to the outside world, the Rafah terminal along the Egyptian frontier, would remain closed for now. Israel tightened restrictions at its border crossings with the Gaza Strip after the Hamas takeover. In pursuing a truce, Hamas has sought a reopening of crossings, including at Rafah. The Israeli official said Rafah could reopen only if there was "significant progress" on Shalit. A Palestinian source familiar with the ceasefire negotiations said the Israeli-run Karni and Sufa crossings would step up operations three days after the truce takes effect, with the flow of goods set at 30 percent of the levels before Hamas took over the Gaza Strip. Hamas, the source said, would guarantee that all Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip abide by the ceasefire. Ten days after the truce begins, Israel would ease limitations at Karni and Sufa, the source added, although some restrictions on certain goods would remain in place. The source said Hamas and Fatah would try to work out a deal on administering the Rafah crossing, talks that would be held in parallel with negotiations on a prisoner swap for Shalit. |
