Egyptian-brokered Gaza cease-fire possible

CAIRO, March 12 (UPI) -- A deal being developed by Israel, Egypt and Hamas would send Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' troops at Gaza Strip crossings, Haaretz reported.

Israel and Hamas reportedly agreed to the Egyptian proposal to deploy Palestinian Authority Presidential Guard members along three crossings where goods are transferred between Israel and Gaza, as well as at another crossing used by both people and goods, Palestinian sources told Haaretz. Guard members also would be will be deployed at the crossing connecting Sinai, Egypt, with Gaza.

Under terms of the agreement, Hamas forces would be stationed near the crossings, controlling the movement of Palestinian civilians in and out of Gaza, Haaretz said.

This agreement is in keeping with the 2005 crossings agreement reached by the United States, Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which called for the crossings be operated by forces loyal to Abbas.

Palestinian sources said Hamas leaders were expected to meet with Egyptian mediators within the next several days.

Meanwhile, Hamas leader Mohammed Nasser in Damascus, Syria, released the militant group's conditions for a cease-fire with Israel, demanding Israel completely end "all acts of aggression" in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, Haaretz said.