A delegation from Hamas will return to Cairo on Saturday to give a final response to proposals to reach an 18-month calm with Israel, Egypt's state-run media reported on Thursday. Talks between Egyptian intelligence officials and a Hamas delegation ended on Wednesday without an agreement. According to Reuters, Hamas said Israeli proposals for an agreement were vague.
An unidentified Egyptian official told the Middle East News Agency, Hamas delegates "will come back to Cairo on Saturday to inform the Egyptian officials of the final response".
Hamas wants Israel and Egypt to reopen all Gaza Strip's border crossings so that people and goods can move freely. According to Hamas official, Salah al-Bardawil, the Israeli side wants to reopen the crossings at a capacity of 70 to 80 percent after the truce, and delay the rest until it reaches a deal to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
Bardawil, in an interview with Egypt's state-run television aired on Thursday, stated Israel also wants to ban the entry into Gaza Strip of any materials used in manufacturing weapons or rockets. "We want to understand ... what are the materials that Israel wants to ban because they are used to make rockets? or will this be subject to the whim of Israel?" he said.
Ayman Taha, another member of the Hamas delegation to Cairo, said the movement now has no objection to an 18-month calm.
