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Cabinet minister Ami Ayalon (Tomer Appelbaum). Last update - 10:31 03/03/2008 Minister Ayalon to push for indirect truce talks with Hamas By Barak Ravid Tags: gaza, israel, hamas, egypt Minister Ami Ayalon is planning to propose that Israel initiate indirect negotiations with Hamas, with Egyptian mediation, to bring about a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. Ayalon, a minister without portfolio and a leading figure in the Labor Party, will raise the idea during a meeting of the security-political cabinet on Wednesday. Behind closed doors, Ayalon has emphasized that "if we are talking with Hamas about [captive IDF soldier] Gilad Shalit, then why should we not talk about a cease-fire?" Advertisement Ayalon has expressed this view in talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. All three are opposed, at this stage, to any negotiations with Hamas over a cease-fire, insisting that Hamas would only use the hiatus in the fighting to reorganize its forces and acquire more arms, in anticipation of another round of hostilities. Ayalon also intends to make other recommendations in the meeting on Wednesday. For example, he supports striking buildings from which Qassam rockets are fired. He is also of the opinion that Israel should reach a new understandings concerning the Gaza border crossings, along with Egypt and the international community. "The Egyptians can mediate and this can restore calm," Ayalon has said. "Even without a cease-fire they will acquire arms. After all, how did they acquire the Grad rockets?" Related articles: Minister Ayalon calls on PM to invite Hamas to regional summit Hamas tells Egypt it is ready to discuss truce with Israel, Shalit deal Hamas: Egypt agrees to allow Gazan pilgrims to return through Rafah Poll: Most Israelis back direct talks with Hamas on Shalit Bookmark to del.icio.us   In the line of fire Rights Group: Over 50% of Gaza casualties weren't militants. Uncle Sam blames you U.S. blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel, Gaza.   1.   talks 04:47  |  Shmuelshachor 03/03/08   2.   Ceasefire. What will that do in the long run ? 05:36  |  Avrum 03/03/08   3.   More betrayal of the Left 06:12  |  Frank 03/03/08   4.   no no no. get rid of ayalon, he must go what short sited thinking 06:17  |  ralph 03/03/08   5.   dont do cease fire until you finish the job 06:38  |  reuven 03/03/08   6.   Minister Ami Ayalon is 100% wrong 07:31  |  Shepherd 03/03/08   7.   A ceasefire now would bury any final status agreement 07:56  |  B (The other one) 03/03/08   8.   Abu-mazen is useless 08:36  |  issy hass 03/03/08   9.   Egypt cannot be trusted. 08:39  |  Jean Van Daem 03/03/08   10.   AS USUAL, AYALON WANTS TO PROMOTE 09:00  |  Robert 03/03/08   11.   they will just regroup and smuggle more missiles 09:20  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 03/03/08   12.   ayalon , you are nother fool in colection of goverment 09:41  |  reuven 03/03/08   13.   only in the movies 10:05  |  movie star 03/03/08   14.   Ayalon - thank goodness he lost the labor election 10:14  |  redmike 03/03/08   15.   Idiot who agreed to cutting Israel in two by "corridor" 10:38  |  Absolute Sweden 03/03/08   16.   IT`LL BE THE USUAL `CEASE FIRE`!! 14:11  |  Ian 03/03/08   17.   Uncommonly commonsense from an Israeli politician 15:09  |  Johnboy 03/03/08   18.   not a good idea, ayalon 19:30  |  frenz 03/03/08   19.   History is louder here! 02:36  |  Paul 04/03/08   20.   I see the knee`s are a-jerkin`...... 04:44  |  Johnboy 04/03/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Nine immoral solutions for Gaza - a guide Responses: 31 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough Responses: 64 Obama says United States should not meet with Hamas Responses: 63 Nehemia Shtrasler: There is no way out but to talk to Hamas Responses: 33 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai Responses: 83 Rosner's Domain What to Read: What was Samantha Power thinking? Rosner: Obama, Clinton aides court hawkish Jews in Ohio Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as Ohio primary nears Obama`s top adviser says doesn't believe in imposing a peace settlement Politics with an elliptical soccer ball More Headlines 13:21 Rice arrives in Israel in bid to renew peace talks 12:25 IAF strike kills two Gaza militants; Qassam rocket damages Sderot home 12:17 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran do not go far enough 04:15 Olmert: All military options for Gaza are on the table 11:48 UN's Ban: Israel says Hezbollah has 30,000 rockets in S. Lebanon 09:14 Young Russian Jews say 'Da' to Birthright, but 'Nyet' to aliyah 09:16 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai 09:36 Fatah man loses children in IDF raid, but Hamas won't let him bury them 13:24 Knesset punishes female workers who skipped Int'l Women`s Day events 00:00 Haaretz journalist Ehud Asheri dies of cancer at 57 04:56 Barak seeks legal okay to move Gazan civilians from homes Previous Editions Select Day 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb

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