No Chance of Talks With Israel: Hamas

Rift between Syrian, Gazan wings of Hamas hamper negotiations

(NEWSER) - Hamas forces in Gaza have been damaged but remain intact enough to fight on, Israeli officials told the New York Times. The onslaught of Israeli airstrikes and ground attacks has shaken the Hamas network, with some groups fighting randomly without coordination from senior leadership. Infrastructure in Gaza has taken several critical blows, and rocket attacks on Israel have slowed to 20 to 30 a day, down from 70 to 80 before the assault. More»

Egypt brokers deal to stop escalating violence

(AP) - Gaza militants agreed to a cease-fire with Israel to stop spiking violence, a Hamas official said today, after a deadly attack across the Egyptian border on Israeli vehicles set off a three-day round of rapidly escalating Israeli airstrikes and rocket barrages from Gaza. The sudden flareup also threatened Israel-Egypt relations, after three Egyptian police were killed as the cross-border clash developed Thursday. Egypt complained strongly as thousands demonstrated in Cairo, and Israel apologized. More»

Government will end Gaza blockade

(NEWSER) - As Egypt regroups after Hosni Mubarak’s exit, it is realigning its diplomatic ties: Officials plan to end the Gaza border blockade and forge closer ties with Iran and Hamas. As elections approach, officials say they’re working toward policies that better fit public opinion; meanwhile, they hope to regain influence in the region, the New York Times reports. “We are opening a new page,” says a Foreign Ministry official. “Egypt is resuming its role that was once abdicated.” More»

39 died in raid by foreign military, but no confirmation

(NEWSER) - Sudan said today that foreign fighter planes carried out an attack in January on 17 trucks carrying weapons to Gaza, amid reports that the Israeli Air Force was behind the bombardment. The strike killed 39 people near the Sudan-Egypt border soon after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel has refused to confirm or deny the allegations, Haaretz reports. More»

(NEWSER) - Hamas says its negotiators have a reached a deal with Israel for a long-term Gaza truce, Reuters reports. A senior leader said the truce ensures the opening of all commercial crossings and will be announced over the weekend. The Egyptian-brokered pact would replace a tentative truce put in place last month after a 22-day Israeli offensive left 1,300 Palestinians dead. Israel, in the midst of election chaos, had no official comment. More»