Hamas leaves, no cease-fire with Israel

CAIRO, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Hamas said it left Cairo Thursday without agreeing on a long-term truce with Israel because of differences over opening border crossings into the Gaza Strip.

Israel had no immediate comment on the negotiations, in which Egypt has been the go-between, the Kuwait News Agency reported.

Another round of talks is scheduled for Sunday, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhom said.

The breakdown followed Israel's insistence on linking the opening of border crossings and the end of a shipping blockade to the release of detained Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit -- a position that "is totally rejected by Hamas," Barhom said in a statement.

Shalit was captured by Palestinian militants in a raid at a border crossing June 25, 2006, and has been held hostage by Hamas since.

Hamas is an Islamic group that has ruled Gaza since June 2007.

"There are more details on the administration of crossings and technical matters that need more clarifications," said Barhom's statement, reported by the Kuwait News Agency.

Israel and Hamas declared separate cease-fires Jan. 18 and are working to create a consolidated cease-fire amid sporadic acts of violence on both sides.

The cease-fires went into effect after Israel pulled its troops out of Gaza, ending a three-week offensive that Israel said had been meant to deter Hamas rocket attacks.

Hamas officials had said it would commit to a cease-fire for at least a year in exchange for a full opening of Gaza's borders.