Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 8, 2009

Israel Considers Egyptian Truce Proposal for Gaza
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=222682C:A6F02AD83191E160694418D9AF0A89013CF5CDEF8FC051DA&
 
Plan includes 18-month cease-fire, prisoner swap for a captive Israeli
soldier and opening of at least two border crossings into Gaza, easing a
crippling blockade 
Three weeks after the end of the war in the Gaza Strip, there are
reports of progress on a long-term cease-fire. Egyptian President Hosni
Mubarak (R) shakes hands with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak
(file)Israel's Cabinet discussed a three-stage Gaza truce proposal
mediated by Egypt. It includes an 18-month cease-fire and a prisoner
swap for a captive Israeli soldier held for more than two years by the
Islamic militant group Hamas that rules Gaza. Israel and Egypt would
open at least two border crossings into Gaza, easing a crippling
blockade. Israel has signaled that is now prepared to pay a higher price
for the captive soldier, Gilad Shalit. "The effort to free Gilad Shalit
is a supreme effort," said Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Israeli and Arab
media reports say Israel is willing to trade Shalit for a thousand
Palestinian prisoners, including top militants responsible for deadly
suicide bombings. But Prime Minister Ehud Olmert denied it. These
reports are "exaggerated!
  and harmful," Mr. Olmert said, adding that when there is a deal he
will reveal it to the public. Senior Hamas leader Mahmud Zahar (l) and
top Hamas official Said Siam (r) return from Egypt at the border at
Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 02 Feb 2009A Hamas delegation, led by a top
Gaza official, is in Egypt for talks on a long-term cease-fire with
Israel. Senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar was asked by reporters if
there has been progress on a prisoner exchange. He responded that all
the reports on the possible release of Shalit were part of what he
called "Israeli election propaganda." National elections take place on
Tuesday, and movement on a prisoner swap could boost the chances of two
candidates for prime minister, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense
Minister Ehud Barak. Final polls show both of them trailing hawkish
former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Livni running a close
second and Barak a distant third. Livni and Barak support the creation
of a Palestinian state; Netanyahu does not. 


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