Egyptians again cancel trip to Israel

CAIRO, March 18 (UPI) -- Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Omar Suleiman Tuesday delayed a trip to Israel alleging Israel's "lack of commitment" to end the conflict in Gaza.

The Arabic daily al-Sharq al-Awsat quotes a senior Egyptian official saying Suleiman postponed his trip to Israel for the third time, citing a "lack of commitment to the lull in Gaza."

Suleiman said Israel was breaking a verbal agreement made by a representative of the Israeli Defense Ministry, Amos Gilad.

Israeli military officials killed members of the militant Islamic Jihad, including a top figure, Mohammed Shahada, in a raid Wednesday in Bethlehem. The Arabic daily said Suleiman specifically referred to that incident as a signal Israel wasn't serious about its commitments.

Egyptian officials said Suleiman postponed his visit for mid-April and called for Israeli restraint to allow Egyptian mediators to reach a truce between Hamas militants in Gaza and the Israelis, Ynetnews reported Tuesday.