Rocket fired from Gaza as truce talks progress

Published February 8th, 2009 - 07:15 GMT

Israel's military said a rocket fired from Gaza Strip has struck an Israeli communal farm. According to the AP, the military conveyed one car was set ablaze and several others were damaged by shrapnel. No injuries were reported.

 

Meanwhile, an Egyptian proposal to stabilise Gaza Strip calls for an extended truce between Israel and Hamas, a prisoner exchange and the initial opening of at least two of the enclave's border crossings, diplomats said. Ahead of an Israeli election on Tuesday, negotiations in Cairo have gained significant progress.

 

Under the proposal, Israel would halt attacks in the Gaza Strip and Hamas would stop cross-border rocket fire for up to 18 months.

 

In the second phase of the proposal, Israel would agree to swap Palestinian prisoners in its custody for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured in 2006.

 

As a deal on the prisoners is carried out, Israel would expand the amount of goods entering the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Reuters reported.