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Hamas to respond to proposed Israel 'ceasefire' Thursday

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CAIRO, April 22 (RIA Novosti) - A Hamas lawmaker said on Tuesday the group was ready to give a final response to Egypt's proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian news agency said.

Salah Bardawil told the Maan news agency a final reply will be conveyed by a Palestinian delegation to Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo on Thursday, confirming previous reports in the Al-Ahram newspaper.

"The entire issue will be discussed in the meeting between Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and a Hamas delegation headed by Mahmoud Zahhar," he was quoted as saying.

"A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip alone will have repercussions, but a comprehensive ceasefire will also have repercussions," Bardawil said, adding if militant groups carried out any attacks from the West Bank, then Israel should not retaliate on the Gaza Strip.

According to press reports, Egyptian mediators have brokered a preliminary agreement with radical Palestinian movement Hamas on conditions for a ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

In return to halting rocket barrages at bordering Israeli towns, Hamas wants Israel and Egypt to open their borders with Gaza for goods and people.

Israel and Egypt restricted movement of people and supplies in and out of Gaza after Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian general elections, and further tightened the blockade after the radical group seized Gaza from President Abbas' Fatah in June, leaving the Palestinian leader in control of the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak confirmed in an interview with the Egyptian media that the preparation for a Middle East summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in May was currently under way.

He said, though, that the event would only be effective if it was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, U.S. President George W. Bush and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Officially Israel has denied holding any talks, direct or indirect, with Hamas.

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