Israeli leader recalls team from cease-fire talks

CAIRO (AP) -- An Egyptian effort to broker an end to a monthlong war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip appeared to collapse Tuesday after Israel walked out on the talks in response to a barrage of Palestinian rocket fire.<br /> <br /> The Israeli walkout occurred just hours before a midnight deadline, leaving the fate of the negotiations in question and raising the possibility of a resumption of heavy fighting.<br /> <br /> "The Cairo talks were based on an agreed premise of a total cessation of hostilities," Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said. "When Hamas breaks the cease-fire, they also break the premise for the Cairo talks. Accordingly, the Israeli team has been called back as a result of today's rocket fire."<br /> <br /> He would not say whether the team would return to Cairo, or whether Israel would resume cease-fire talks. There was no immediate Egyptian comment, but a Hamas official declared the talks over.<br /> <br /> The breakdown dealt a harsh blow to nearly a week of Egyptian-led diplomacy meant to end weeks of fighting that has killed more than 2,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian and U.N. officials. Sixty-seven Israelis, including three Israelis, have also been killed. It has been the heaviest fighting between Israel and Hamas since the Islamic militant group seized control of Gaza in 2007.<br /> <br /> Hamas is seeking an end to a seven-year Israeli-Egypt blockade that has ravaged Gaza's economy, while Israel wants guarantees that Hamas will disarm.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/8/278474