Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a press conference after his meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Presidential House in Cairo, capital of Egypt, on January 10, 2008. [Xinhua]

Abbas says Israel must accept Egyptian plan on Gaza truce

Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday Israel must accept an Egyptian plan to put an end to the conflict in the Palestinian territory of Gaza Strip.

Abbas made his call at a press conference following talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Saturday morning, saying Israel must accept the Egyptian proposal or "face the responsibility over the conflict."

The Egyptian proposal is the only way forward to end the Gaza crisis, the Palestinian leader told reporters.

On Tuesday, Mubarak presented a three-point proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The Egyptian proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire for a limited period to allow for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and give Egypt time to continue its efforts to help reach a lasting truce.

Egypt would invite both Israel and the Palestinians for security talks and Palestinian factions for the resumption of their reconciliation talks, according to the proposal.

At the press conference, Abbas also called for an international presence in Gaza to protect Palestinian civilians in the coastal strip, which has been under intensive Israeli attacks in the past 15 days.

The talks of the two leaders is the second since Israel launched its offensive against the Palestinian enclave on Dec. 27,2008, which has reportedly killed more than 800 Palestinians and wounded 3,300 others.

Abbas said he still believes in peace as the Israeli attacks entered the 15th day.

The Palestinian leader also called on Hamas to reach an agreement to end the conflict "without hesitation."

"We hope Hamas will reach an agreement without hesitation," said Abbas, adding "The situation does not allow us to lose time."

On Friday night, a Hamas delegation arrived in Egypt for talks with Egyptian mediators on a ceasefire with Israel in Gaza. The Hamas team is expected to meet with Egyptian officials on Saturday for Gaza ceasefire.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2009)