UNITY PRAYER:

Fatah, Hamas discuss unity gov't (Khaled Abu Toameh, Aug. 14, 2006, THE JERUSALEM POST)

Fatah and Hamas are close to reaching an agreement on forming a national unity government, Palestinian Authority officials in Ramallah revealed on Monday.

They said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to hold talks in Gaza City late Monday night with Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh over the establishment of a new government and ways of ending tensions between Abbas's Fatah party and Haniyeh's Hamas movement. [...]

Abbas and Haniyeh are also expected to discuss the fate of kidnapped IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who is being held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas and other militias. Egyptian mediators based in the Gaza Strip have stepped up their efforts in the past few days to secure the release of Shalit, holding intensive talks with Hamas leaders and activists.

Sources close to Hamas expressed cautious optimism that the case could be resolved peacefully. According to one source, Egypt has suggested that Shalit be handed over to the Egyptian authorities. In return, Israel would release scores of Palestinian detainees and prisoners, including Hamas legislators and ministers who were taken into custody over the past few weeks.

"We believe that we are close to a deal," the sources said, pointing out that Hamas was keen on ending the crisis peacefully. "Qatar, Turkey and Egypt are continuing to play a constructive role by mediating between Hamas and Israel."

If they have sense enough to freeze out the recalcitrants they could achieve something, not that they're known for seizing the moment...

MORE:
Ceasefire holds as both sides claim Lebanon success (Daniel McGrory in Beirut and Stephen Farrell in Nahariya, 8/15/06, Times of London)

LEBANESE villagers streamed home in their thousands and Israelis warily emerged from bomb shelters yesterday as a fragile ceasefire ended the fighting in Lebanon.

Posted by Orrin Judd at August 15, 2006 12:00 AM