Barak offers Hamas another cease-fire

JERUSALEM, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has offered Hamas a continued cease-fire along the border with Gaza.

Maj.-Gen. Amos Gilad was to bring the offer to talks in Cairo Sunday, The Jerusalem Post reported. One of Barak's demands was for an end to the firing of rockets into Israel.

The cease-fire, begun six months ago, expires Friday. In the past month, more than 200 mortars and rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza.

Top army leaders have recommended letting the cease-fire lapse, the Post said.

Gilad was also to meet with Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman. Another goal of his trip is to determine whether any progress has been made on the release of Gilad Shalit, a soldier captured more than two years ago.