Egypt has invited rival Palestinian factions to a conference in Cairo in an effort to broker peace between Israel and the militant Palestinian organization, Hamas. This is in place of a temporary ceasefire called after Israel's offensive in Gaza last month.Egypt is also trying to bridge the divide between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The rift between the two organizations was created when Hamas expelled the Palestinian Authority from Gaza a year and a half ago.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expressed hope for "a return to calm" in Gaza by next week. Mubarak and French President Nicolas Sarkozy discussed plans for a truce in the Palestinian territory.
The two leaders were instrumental in pushing Israel to end its offensive in Gaza. Israel began its offensive in order to stop rockets being fired on Israeli territory. Hamas leaders announced their own ceasefire the same day, but scattered attacks are straining the truce. Around 1,300 Palestinians were killed in the offensive, according to Gaza health officials, and 13 Israelis also died.
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