Top Israeli official due in Egypt for truce talks

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's top defence official is due for truce talks with Hamas in Cairo on Sunday, Israeli military radio said.

Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Sulaiman will meet Amos Gilad, a top aide to Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

Sulaiman has been mediating talks between the Palestinian and Israeli groups since Israel refuses to talk directly to Hamas.

According to Army Radio, two issues are blocking a truce deal: the continued captivity of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and Hamas's attacks on Israel.

Hamas, meanwhile, is demanding that Israel lift a blockade of Gaza.