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Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders agree to three-month truce
Jerusalem, June 25: A Palestinian source said today that top leaders of the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups have agreed to halt attacks against Israelis for three months.
Jerusalem, June 25: A Palestinian source said today that top leaders of the militant Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups have agreed to halt attacks against Israelis for three months.
The claim could not be confirmed with Palestinian or Israeli officials. But Israeli military intelligence officials have said they expect such an agreement, and Palestinian officials and militant leaders have suggested it is imminent.
The Palestinian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the document outlining the truce terms was signed in Damascus by top Hamas leader Khaled Mashal and Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shalah, and came as a result of contacts between them and Marwan Bargho Uti, a leader of the Palestinian uprising jailed in Israel.
Barghouti signed the agreement on behalf of Fatah, which is headed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the source said.
The military wings of all three groups have carried out bombing and shooting attacks against Israelis during 33 months of fighting, killing hundreds.
In the document, the militant groups agree to a moratorium on attacks for three months. In exchange, they demand Israel end targeted killings of militants and military incursions into Palestinian areas, the source said. They also call for a release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel but do not set any deadline or timeframe for this, the source said.
Local Hamas leaders could not confirm the agreement. But Mohammed al-Hindi, the top Islamic jihad leader in the Gaza Strip, confirmed Hamas agreed to a three-month truce and was trying to arrange a joint declaration with his group.
Bureau Report
The Palestinian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the document outlining the truce terms was signed in Damascus by top Hamas leader Khaled Mashal and Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Shalah, and came as a result of contacts between them and Marwan Bargho Uti, a leader of the Palestinian uprising jailed in Israel.
Barghouti signed the agreement on behalf of Fatah, which is headed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, the source said.
The military wings of all three groups have carried out bombing and shooting attacks against Israelis during 33 months of fighting, killing hundreds.
In the document, the militant groups agree to a moratorium on attacks for three months. In exchange, they demand Israel end targeted killings of militants and military incursions into Palestinian areas, the source said. They also call for a release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel but do not set any deadline or timeframe for this, the source said.
Local Hamas leaders could not confirm the agreement. But Mohammed al-Hindi, the top Islamic jihad leader in the Gaza Strip, confirmed Hamas agreed to a three-month truce and was trying to arrange a joint declaration with his group.
Bureau Report