Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to push for postponement of Palestinian elections in a visit to Egypt this week.
A visit to the Palestinian territories is also expected this week from Egyptian Intelligence head Omar Suliman, according to media sources. It is expected that Suliman is will support the postponement of Palestinian elections as well in an attempt to mediate between the various Palestinian factions participating in the election.
Elections are currently set to be held on January 25, with the Hamas movement showing wide support amongst Palestinians, causing concern amongst many in Israel and the West, as well as some who fear that such concerns may lead to cuts in funding to Palestinians.
Many in Abbas' Fatah faction have also sought to postpone elections in an attempt to avoid what may be a landslide victory on the part of Hamas.
Suleiman is also expected to discuss the possibility of the unofficial cease-fire with Israel reached last February.
West Bank raids continue
A Qassam rocket was fired on Tuesday morning from the northern Gaza Strip into southern Israel. Israeli security forces responded by firing artillery rounds at what it reportedly believed to be access roads used to transport the rockets to launching sites.
Also on Tuesday, Israeli troops arrested 10 Palestinian men in the West Bank wanted for their involvement in the Hamas faction. Nine of the men were arrested from the town of Qilya, west of Ramallah, and another from the town of Qabatya, south of Jenin.
