Hamas expected to agree to truce

PALESTINIAN officials yesterday said they expected a positive response from Hamas on a truce with Israel, perhaps even by late last night, and Egyptian diplomatic sources said an announcement would be made in Cairo.

Hamas officials said they are still studying the proposal.

A truce is crucial for implementing a US-backed peace plan, the “road map” to Palestinian statehood by 2005. In the first stage, the Palestinians must dismantle militant groups, while Israel must gradually withdraw to positions held before the outbreak of fighting 33 months ago. However, lulls in violence and cease-fire efforts have been scuttled repeatedly in the past, both by Hamas attacks and Israel’s targeted killing of militants.