Special report: Crisis between Israel and Palestine

    RAMALLAH, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Tuesday that Egypt was still making efforts to help solve the issue of an abducted Israeli soldier.

    "The Egyptian government is still making efforts to solve the crisis, but Israeli violations on the ground lessen chances of reaching a final compromise," Erekat told reporters.

    Meanwhile, well-informed sources close to Egyptian diplomats in Gaza denied Monday's reports that an Egyptian delegation in Gaza has met with the kidnapped Israeli soldier.

    The sources, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, also denied that the delegation has threatened to end its diplomatic efforts to settle the issue through negotiations.

    Israel has stepped up military escalation in the Gaza Strip following the abduction of an Israeli soldier in a Palestinian attack on an Israeli army post on June 25.

    The captors demand immediate release of women and children prisoners held in Israeli jails in exchange for information about the soldier's fate. Enditem