Palestinians hopeful of ceasefire deal

Egyptian mediators made a final push today to persuade Palestinian militants to halt attacks on Israelis.

But a Hamas leader said that “now is not the time for a truce” and Israel’s foreign minister demanded the militias be crushed, not courted.

Despite tough statements by Hamas, Palestinian officials were optimistic that a deal can be announced very soon. “I hope we’ll get some answers tomorrow,” said Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath after the talks in Gaza City.

Egyptian mediators told the Palestinian factions that they had been given American guarantees that Israel will halt targeted killings of Palestinians suspected of involvement in violence.

The armed groups have said they will only consider stopping attacks – and then only in Israel, not in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – if Israel promises to halt military strikes, including targeted killings.

Officials at the US embassy in Tel Aviv declined comment on whether Washington has given such guarantees.

Israel has said there will be no blanket promises.

“As long as terror continues, we shall continue to act and I have no intention of changing my position,” Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told MPs today.

Sharon told his Cabinet yesterday that he would not initiate military strikes in the event of a ceasefire, but would continue targeting “ticking bombs,” a term widely understood as referring to militants about to carry out attacks.

However, Israeli officials later said Sharon defines ”ticking bombs” much more broadly and that it includes those who send bombers and other attackers.

Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom today rejected the idea of a deal with Hamas, saying Palestinian security forces have to dismantle militias, as required by the “road map” to Palestinian statehood by 2005.

Shalom said a truce would simply allow militant groups to recover from Israeli strikes. “We can’t accept this.” he said.

Palestinian Authority officials said toy they expect a ceasefire to be declared soon, and sources close to the talks said such an announcement could be made within 48 hours.

“We are optimistic about reaching an agreement,” said Palestinian Information Minister Nabil Amr.

There were conflicting reports on whether the Egyptians proposed an open-ended truce or a limited ceasefire for several months.

After today’s talks, Ismail Abu Shanab, a Hamas leader, said it was premature to talk about a ceasefire. “Now is not a time for truce. It is time for solidarity and standing united against Israeli attacks on our people,” he said.