U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says Israel and the Palestinians intend to resume peace talks that were suspended after an Israeli offensive in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Rice made her remarks at a joint news conference today, Wednesday in Jerusalem with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. She gave no time frame for a resumption of the talks.
Rice also said a cease-fire in Gaza is not a condition for restarting the talks.
She spoke as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement he intends to resume negotiations, backing off from an earlier demand that a cease-fire be in place first.
Mr. Abbas suspended peace talks with Israel on Sunday to protest an offensive in Gaza that killed more than 120 Palestinian militants and civilians.
Rice made her remarks at a joint news conference today, Wednesday in Jerusalem with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. She gave no time frame for a resumption of the talks.
Rice also said a cease-fire in Gaza is not a condition for restarting the talks.
She spoke as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement he intends to resume negotiations, backing off from an earlier demand that a cease-fire be in place first.
Mr. Abbas suspended peace talks with Israel on Sunday to protest an offensive in Gaza that killed more than 120 Palestinian militants and civilians.