Hamas holds new talks with Egypt for Gaza truce

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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A Hamas team met Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman yesterday in a bid to clinch a lasting truce in war-battered Gaza, after an Israeli negotiator held similar talks in Cairo. Egypt's state MENA news agency said Suleiman and the Hamas officials discussed "Egyptian efforts to consolidate the ceasefire, reach a (permanent) truce, reopen Gaza crossings and resume Palestinian national dialogue."

Hamas and Egyptian officials were not immediately available to comment on the behind closed doors talks, attended by members of the group's powerful Syria-based politburo and a delegation from the Gaza Strip. But a Hamas spokesman in Damascus reiterated to Agence France-Presse that the Islamist group was willing to observe a "one-year truce" with Israel "on condition" that the blockade of Gaza is lifted.

Also yesterday, the militant group said it would be distributing $52 million in aid to people affected by Israel's 3-week offensive against Hamas, which devastated Gaza. The cash compensations for lost relatives or damaged homes would come from its own funds, Hamas said, until relief pledged by international donors can come in. Hamas receives millions in funding from Iran and donations from supporters around the world, believed to be smuggled into the blockaded territory through tunnels.

Back to work
Some Hamas aid has already been passed out in a few cases in recent days, but Hamas said its formal distribution began yesterday. Top Hamas leaders remained in hiding, apparently still fearing an Israeli strike despite the cease-fire. But lower-level Hamas officials could be seen back to work yesterday, sometimes operating outside from a table set next to the rubble of their destroyed offices. Early in the morning, the Hamas national security chief, Gen. Hussein Abu Athra, signed orders on the hood of his car next to the pummeled historic building that had served as security headquarters.

Meanwhile, international calls to investigate Israel over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip prompted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday to promise military personnel state protection from foreign prosecution. "The commanders and soldiers sent to Gaza should know they are safe from various tribunals and Israel will assist them on this front and defend them, just as they protected us with their bodies during the Gaza operation," Reuters news agency quoted acting Israeli premier as saying.

Last week, the military censor ordered local and foreign media in Israel to blur the faces of army commanders in photos and video footage of the Gaza war for fear they could be identified and arrested while traveling abroad.

Israeli media reports said the military had been advising its top brass to think twice about visiting Europe.