Israel denies it proposed a cease-fire

GAZA, March 23 (UPI) -- Jerusalem officials rejected claims Sunday Israel had presented a year-long peace deal for the Gaza Strip if Islamic Jihad and Hamas rebels end rocket attacks.

The Israelis advised Israel Radio that Israel's position concerning a peace agreement is straight forward, stressing that no deal was made, The Jerusalem Post reported. The officials said there had been no cease-fire negotiations.

The rejection was prompted by a claim in the London newspaper Al Hayat that Egypt had delivered an Israeli peace agreement plan to Islamic Jihad and Hamas officials at a talk Saturday at the Rafah border crossing.