FACTBOX-What next after Gaza ceasefire?
Source: Reuters
Nov 26 (Reuters) - Below are answers to some questions about a ceasefire that took effect between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Sunday. IS THE CEASEFIRE HOLDING? Palestinian militants from the Islamic Jihad and Hamas groups fired several rocket barrages at southern Israel after the ceasefire went into effect, though Hamas political leaders said the group was committed to the truce. Israel said it would hold its fire too see what happened, but threatened to respond if the salvoes continue. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PEACE TALKS? A ceasefire, if it holds, seems likely to lead to a long-awaited summit between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But Israel says it will not deal with the governing Hamas movement until the Islamic group meets international demands to recognise the Jewish state, renounce violence and accept existing interim peace accords. WHAT DOES ISRAEL HAVE TO GAIN FROM A CEASEFIRE? An end to daily rocket attacks on southern Israel, particularly the frequently hit town of Sderot. The strikes have hurt Olmert politically at a time when his popularity ratings are already low following Israel's inconclusive 34-day war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon last summer. A cessation of Israeli attacks on Gaza militants could backfire. Israeli military officials have warned of an increase in the quantity of arms being smuggled into Gaza from Egypt. They fear militants will be stocking up for a major confrontation, emboldened by Hezbollah's ability to fight Israel. WHAT ABOUT THE PALESTINIANS? More than 400 Palestinians -- about half of them civilians -- have been killed by Israeli forces in a crushing Gaza military offensive, hospital officials said. Palestinians will welcome an end to the assault launched after militants seized an Israeli soldier, who is still being held. PRISONER TALKS? Talks mediated by Egypt to arrange the release of the abducted soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit, in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel have bogged down. But in a sign of possible progress, Damascus-based Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal arrived in Cairo last week for talks on the swap. Any deal would likely involve Palestinian prisoners being handed to Abbas and not to Hamas, and will be high on the agenda of a meeting with Olmert. WHAT ABOUT A PALESTINIAN UNITY GOVERNMENT? Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, who is also a Hamas leader, cooperated in brokering a ceasefire, but they still have to work out key details of a unity government both say they want to form to help ease Western economic sanctions. Among the issues still outstanding is who will run the Interior Ministry, which controls several security services.
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