Mideast peace talks to resume next week

ISRAEL: Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians will resume next week after being temporarily halted by a fierce Israeli military campaign against the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, officials on both sides said on Saturday.

The negotiations "are set to resume during the course of next week," a senior Israeli official told AFP.

"We have always said these negotiations should continue, because we distinguish between the terrorists of Hamas and the moderate Palestinians of the (Palestinian) Authority," he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

For his part, an official from the Palestinian Authority of moderate president Mahmud Abbas said a "resumption of negotiations is expected on Wednesday."

Earlier in the day, Abbas had said that despite the Israeli attacks, which have left scores of Palestinians dead in the past two weeks, peace is the only way forward.

"Despite all the Israeli attacks we call for peace and we are keen on peace built on international legitimacy," Abbas said in a speech at his Ramallah headquarters to mark International Women's Day.

"There is no other way but peace."

But Abbas said several issues must first be resolved, such as the status of east Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as capital of their future state, the problem of refugees, Jewish settlements and prisoners held by Israel.

"We want a just and comprehensive peace agreement," Abbas said.

Jerusalem, Tuesday, AFP