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Occupied Jerusalem: The outcome of negotiations on a Gaza ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will be known "in the near term", an Israeli official said on Saturday.
Amos Gilad told Israel Radio that halting rocket fire by Gaza militants and ending arms smuggling into the coastal territory were critical parts of any agreement.
"Stopping terror is an immediate aim," he said. The issue of the release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was also central but would be dealt with separately.
"We are holding discussions with the Egyptians and we have the reaction, which I will not detail. We will know the results in the near term," Gilad said.
Israel, which refuses to negotiate directly with Hamas, has been pressing for progress on the Shalit case and an end to Hamas weapons smuggling as conditions for a truce.
Hamas has demanded Israel ease its blockade on Gaza by opening border crossings in return for calm.
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