U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the Israelis and Palestinians intend to resume peace talks - suspended after an Israeli offensive in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Rice made her remarks at a joint press conference Wednesday in Jerusalem with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. She said both sides are in contact with each other on how to resume the talks, but gave no time frame.
Rice also urged Hamas to cease rocket attacks on Israel.
Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he intended to resume peace talks, backing off an earlier demand he would not do so unless a cease-fire was in place in Gaza.
He suspended peace talks with Israel on Sunday to protest a five-day offensive in Gaza that killed more than 120 Palestinian militants and civilians.
Rice also met with Palestinian negotiators Wednesday, the final day of her visit to the Middle East. She next heads to Brussels.
The meetings took place hours after Israeli forces briefly entered the Gaza Strip and clashed with militants. Israel's army says a senior Islamic Jihad commander was killed. Palestinian medical sources say an infant was also killed, and at least 10 Palestinians were wounded.
At Wednesday's press conference, Rice also called on the Israelis and Palestinians to comply with the international roadmap for Middle East peace.
She has urged Israel to try harder not to harm Palestinians in its military response in Gaza.
Livni spoke of daily rocket attacks coming from Gaza and said Israel is not willing to give Hamas control of its "lives and future."
Source: By VOA News
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