MANAMA June 13.
In battling the extremist Palestinian organisation, Hamas, Israel appears to be reinforcing its armed campaign with discreet behind-the-scenes talks mediated by Egypt.According to media reports, the Egyptian intelligence chief, Omar Suleiman, began talks with the Hamas in Gaza on Thursday with the aim of persuading the group to hold fire against Israelis for a period of one year.
Israel has rejected the Hamas' earlier proposal for a three-month ceasefire, as it apprehends that the militants will use this period to regroup.
The U.S. is fully backing the Egyptian mediation, as it does not want to get directly involved in talks with the Hamas. According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, the lawyer of the detained Palestinian leader, Marwan Barghouti, is expected to convey a message on behalf of Mr. Barghouti and Khaled Mashall, the head of Hamas' political bureau, to Mr. Suleiman.