Hamas expects truce deal with Israel soon

GAZA, Feb. 7 -- Islamic Hamas movement expected that a truce agreement to be reached with Israel within the coming days, if Israel gives convincing answers related to ending the blockade.

Hamas spokesman in Gaza Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement that he expects a truce agreement to be announced within the coming days "if we receive from Egypt convincing answers related to siege and crossings."

"If our Egyptian brothers receive from Israel convincing answers to our questions, we might reach an honorific deal within days that ends the siege and reopens the crossings," said Barhoum.

Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas leader, on Saturday publicly emerged for the first time since the beginning of Israeli onslaught in December, heading a Hamas delegation for ceasefire talks in Cairo.

The four-person delegation crossed into Egypt Saturday afternoon through Rafah terminal on Gaza-Egypt border. Hamas delegation will hold further talks with senior Egyptian intelligence officials on the truce and the national dialogue.

Barhoum said the answers Hamas delegation is expected to receive from Israel through the Egyptian mediator are related to the 20 percent of goods and materials that Israel won't allow into Gaza.

Hamas has also asked for clarifications over the mechanism of operating the crossings and the role of the European inspectors, Barhoum said, denying that his movement had accepted joint Turkish-French inspectors on the crossings.

"We wanted to know if the role of the foreign inspectors would be secure, technical or administrative. We actually don't ask guarantees from Egypt, but Egypt should insure guarantees that oblige the occupation to respect the deal.