Hamas
spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin said last week that while he
welcomed the prospect of talks with Palestinian leaders, "under
the present circumstances, we have no room for a truce."
Qorei
himself has expressed optimism he can succeed in securing a mutual
ceasefire, which he has made the top priority of his new regime.
"We
will reach a ceasefire agreement and start negotiations (with Israel)
to end the conflict and live as good neighbors," he told Sunday's
Washington Post.
Qorei
is expected to hold talks with Sharon soon after the Israeli leader's
return from a three-day visit to Rome.
Palestinian
Killed
As
the Palestinians were being pressured politically to observe a new
truce with Israel, the occupation army continued its raids and
chocking blockades on the ground.
A
young Palestinian was shot dead Monday by Israeli forces in the
northern West Bank town of Tulkarem.
Palestinian
sources said Yussef Taleb, 22, was hit when Israeli troops fired at
Palestinians throwing stones in their direction. An Israeli military
source charged he had opened fire on soldiers.
Sharon
In Italy
Meanwhile,
Sharon flew into Rome Monday for a visit which will include talks with
his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi aimed at bolstering Israel's
troubled relations with the European Union.
He
was due to meet with senior Italian officials and Jewish leaders
Monday at a location kept secret for security reasons before meeting
Berlusconi the next day.
According
to AFP, the visit will be used as an opportunity to acknowledge the
"support shown to Israel by Prime Minister Berlusconi" since
Italy assumed the rotating presidency of the EU.
Sharon
will also appeal for concerted international action in the so-called
“war against terrorism” after the twin bomb attacks against
synagogues in Turkey Saturday, according to Israeli officials.
Addressing
a gathering of Jews from around the world in Jerusalem late Sunday,
the Premier said that the Istanbul attacks would not break the will of
the Jewish people.
