Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) shakes hands with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during their meeting in Egypt's Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, June 24, 2008. The two leaders started talks on Tuesday on the Middle East peace, particularly the fragile Gaza truce. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday expressed hope in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh that Hamas and Israel would stick to an Egyptian-brokered Gaza truce.

    Mubarak made the remarks during his talks here with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and they tackled the package of ending violence in Gaza, Egyptian presidential spokesman, Suleiman Awad, told reporters after the meeting.

    The two leaders also discussed the latest regional developments including the ongoing negotiations between the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Israel in order to reach a final agreement to establish an independent Palestinian state, Awad said.

    "Egypt is exerting arduous efforts to end the violence in Gaza and ready to stabilize the situation there. President Mubarak expressed his hope to achieve a deal conducive to foster the Palestinian Authority," Awad added.

    Egypt continues efforts in brokering a prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups, to ensure the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who were captured by Palestinian militants two years ago, the spokesman said.

    Hamas demanded Israel release 450 prisoners it is holding in exchange for Shalit. The London-based newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported on Saturday that Shalit's release was being delayed by a cleavage between Israel and Hamas over the fate of 30 Hamas prisoners.

    Olmert's visit to Egypt, an active mediator between Israel and Palestinian militant groups, came five days after the truce in Gaza took effect last week.

    However, a fresh mortar attack from Gaza and the killing of two Palestinian militants by Israeli troops in the West Bank on Tuesday cast shadow on the talks between Olmert and Mubarak.