JERUSALEM, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Egypt has refused to accept as final the rejection by Hamas and Islamic Jihad of a temporary cease-fire with Israel, and plans to resume talks in Gaza.
The Jerusalem Post said a high-ranking Egyptian security delegation was expected in the Gaza Strip Tuesday for talks with leaders of the two groups on a proposed 12-month truce.
Egypt's decision follows a request from the United States and Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei.
The Post noted the Gaza visit comes fewer than 10 days after representatives of 12 Palestinian factions met in Cairo in a failed attempt to reach an agreement on a cease-fire with Israel.
At the three-day talks, Hamas and three Syrian-backed factions rejected a proposal from Qurei and the Egypt for a 12-month hiatus in attacks against Israeli citizens.
