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Israeli election could boost Hamas truce talks
By JOSEF FEDERMAN,Associated Press Writer AP - Thursday, February 12
JERUSALEM - For Hamas, the goal is opening Gaza's borders to tons of blankets, medicine and other humanitarian aid piled up in ports, and freeing hundreds of Palestinians from Israeli jails.
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For Israel, it's stopping the smuggling of arms into Gaza and bringing home a soldier held captive by Hamas-linked militants since 2006.
With outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert suddenly freed of political constraints as rival parties wrangle over how to share power following Tuesday's elections, the next several weeks may offer a unique opportunity for Israel and Hamas to strike a deal _ though it's unclear whether Olmert's successor would honor it.
John Ging, the top U.N. official in Gaza, said he was not concerned about who becomes prime minister, only about reopening the border crossings.
"We just hope that whichever government is elected changes its policy to focus on the plight of the people in Gaza," he said. "Thousands of tons of humanitarian aid, like blankets, medicine and aid are waiting in Ashdod (Israel), Egypt and Jordan. ... The aid isn't getting in because there is only one crossing open, so it's like the eye of a needle."
Senior defense officials said Olmert's dwindling time as prime minister has ironically improved conditions for working out an agreement that would open the borders and end the still simmering warfare.
One official said Olmert feels compelled to "clear the table" before leaving office, and that his lame-duck status has freed him to make difficult decisions. In particular, the prospect of releasing hundreds of Hamas prisoners, including convicted murders, is likely to generate heavy criticism in Israel.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was discussing confidential information, said he believed a cease-fire could be reached relatively quickly if the Israeli government makes the required tough decisions.
Egypt has been trying to broker a long-term cease-fire since Israel ended its fierce three-week military offensive in Gaza last month.
Olmert's spokesman, Mark Regev, dismissed talk that Olmert feels pressed to reach a deal as "speculation."
But he said the Israeli leader will pursue a cease-fire until his successor takes office, a process that could take weeks.
"We will continue to seek sustained peace and quiet in the south and try to work for the release of Gilad Schalit, and we will continue our engagement with the Egyptians for long-term stability," he said.
Israel wants Hamas to release Sgt. Schalit, who was captured in June 2006. In return, Hamas has demanded the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Hamas also wants Israel to end its economic blockade of Gaza, imposed after the Islamic militants seized power in June 2007, while Israel is demanding an end to arms smuggling into Gaza.
But with the two leading contenders to succeed Olmert both saying they want to topple Hamas _ and with the Islamic militant group equally hostile to Israel _ it's unclear that any long-term truce could survive.
Hamas appears eager to reach a cease-fire, though officials say the prospect of a hard-line Israeli government in the future will not make them reduce their demands.
"Any government that wants to have calm must pay the price, which is to lift the siege and stop the aggression," said Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum.
Israel's election ended inconclusively, with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Benjamin Netanyahu both claiming victory. Since neither candidate won a parliamentary majority, each will have to court coalition partners. Netanyahu seems to have the upper hand because of gains by other nationalist parties.
As a member of the current government and Olmert's centrist Kadima Party, Livni appears more inclined to honor a deal struck by the current prime minister.
Dan Meridor, a Likud member of the incoming parliament, said if Netanyahu becomes prime minister, he would not automatically support a truce worked out with Hamas. Meridor said, "Do we want to bring down Hamas and allow (moderates) to represent the Palestinians in negotiations, or do we say, the people chose (Hamas), they are strong, they are our enemies, but we won't deter them."
____
Josef Federman, the AP's Jerusalem news editor, has covered the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 2003. Correspondents Mark Lavie and Ian Deitch contributed to this report.
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