Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Egypt to discuss proposal for Israel cease-fire

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A delegation from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad met with Egyptian security officials Thursday to discuss a cease-fire proposal with Israel that was prepared by Egypt in consultation with the Israelis, officials from both sides said. "A truce has to be comprehensive, mutual and lead to ending the siege," Islamic Jihad negotiator Khaled Batch said before crossing into Egypt for Thursday's talks. Earlier reports said the cease-fire proposal would only apply to Gaza. "We will not accept the division," he added, in reference to the current split between Gaza and the West Bank.