Report: Egypt makes progress negotiating Hamas, Israel cease-fire

Egypt is making good progress in negotiating a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Reuters reported Friday. The Egyptian government is aiming for both sides to agree to a "period of quiet," said Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Speaking of Egypt's mediation attempts, Reuters reported that Gheit explained the reason for this wording to the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. "Hamas wants to call it a period of quiet. That suits the Israelis because they do not want to reach a signed, written agreement with Hamas," he said.