Palestinians fail to reach truce deal

PALESTINIANS yesterday failed to reach agreement on any truce offer to Israel, even a conditional one, after three days of talks mired in arguments, delegates said.

Negotiators from Palestinian factions including Hamas and Islamic Jihad were split over whether to offer a full ceasefire or a limited truce that would only stop attacks inside Israel.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, who joined the talks in Cairo in the hopes of pulling off a deal, left the Egyptian capital without an agreement in hand. Delegates said a statement will be issued later outlining the results of the meetings.