'Suleiman's visit may bring calm'
Israel will refrain from military response to deadly Qassam attack on Monday
to allow Egyptian truce initiative genuine shot at succeeding. State
officials in Jerusalem say agreement may stem Hamas' growth, end arms
smuggling, bring about deal to release Gilad Shalit
Roni Sofer YNET published: 05.13.08, 00:31 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3542524,00.html

State officials in Jerusalem said on Monday evening that the presence of
Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman in the region may eventually
lead to an agreement that would bring calm to the Gaza Strip, this despite
the many vocal disagreements between Israel and the Palestinian factions on
a number of clauses.

According to recent estimates - the truce will be gradual, and will likely
include a deal ensuring the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad
Shalit. Israel has so far demanded Egypt and Hamas clarify their positions
on the proposal.

Jerusalem officials said the developing unwritten agreement would be brought
before the National Security Cabinet in the near future. No timetable has
been laid out, despite Suleiman's impending return to Cairo.

"Egypt has shown it is determined to bring about an agreement - and Suleiman
left here with an understanding of how fiercely determined Israel is to push
forward with Shalit's release," said a State source.

"Everyone understands that the window of opportunity is narrow. It is narrow
because the grave attacks (from Gaza) continue while Israel's patience
towards them is growing thinner. Incidents like the deadly Qassam attack on
Yesha, which was a coded show of disrespect to Suleiman as a mediator, may
narrow that window even further," he said.

"Meanwhile we are operating under the assumption that a truce is possible,
while dedicating our efforts to freeing Gilad Shalit. Much has been achieved
on the Shalit issue and we hope his release will be part of the unwritten
truce between the two sides."

Ball in Egypt's court

The lethal Qassam strike which killed 70-year-old Shuli Katz in Yesha - a
small community in the Eshkol Regional Council - has so far not prompted the
government to order a military response in Gaza. Officials in Jerusalem said
Israel was trying to provide the Egyptian mediation efforts with a genuine
chance to broker a truce before resorting to offensive measures. This
decision received further reinforcement due to US President George W. Bush's
arrival on Wednesday.

With a considerable number of prominent leaders staying in Israel to
celebrate its 60th anniversary, Jerusalem has been trying to avoid military
tensions.

Now the ball is in Egypt's court, say State officials, in its attempt to
bring Hamas and other terror factions to the negotiations table.

"If the initiative is successful - it may be the answer to how we block
Hamas' growing strength while preventing arms smuggling across the border
and furthermore, this could mean good news on the Palestinians' willingness
to compromise on the Shalit deal," said the State official.

"Based on our previous experience with Hamas, I wouldn't say we're overly
optimistic, but at the moment this is a viable scenario."