Senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad, a retired IAF fighter pilot and senior officer, is heading to Cairo on Sunday for talks with a number of officials, including Egyptian Intelligence Chief General Omar Suleiman.

Gilad awaits Hamas� response to Israel�s conditions towards acceptance of a temporary halt in fighting; primarily the terror organization�s willingness to include Gilad Shalit in such a deal to ensure the IDF soldier is set free.

Amos Gilad told reporters he does not envision Hamas agreeing to Israel�s demands at present.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert recently told Suleiman, who was visiting in Israel, that Israel is remaining firm on a number of issues, with the release of Shalit atop of the list, sending Suleiman back to present Israel�s position to terrorist leaders.

Since his departure from Israel, Suleiman reports continuing efforts towards a cessation in fighting in Gaza, but there have not been any encouraging signs from Hamas leaders.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)