Hamas delegation to leave Gaza for talks with Egyptians

A Hamas delegation will head for Cairo on Tuesday to discuss an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire and a number of issues, said Mahmuod Zahar, a Hamas leader who is joining the delegation. "The delegation will discuss the calm issue according to the deal which stipulated a lull and a full lifting of the siege and opening the crossing points into Gaza," Zahar said. The Hamas-Israel ceasefire took effect on June 19 in the Gaza Strip. However, Israel closed the crossing points five times since the ceasefire took effect in response to rocket attacks that some Palestinian factions carried out. Hamas said Israel violated the key article of the ceasefire deal which calls for reopening the commercial crossing points into Gaza. Israel imposed the economic sanctions on the coastal Strip in June 2007 when Hamas took control of the territory.... [read full story]