Conflicting reports about likelihood of ceasefire

(23 Jan 2005) SHOTLIST 1. Palestinians arriving to checkpoint 2. Various of sweets being handed out to policemen 3. Close up bag of sweets 4. People shaking hands and kissing policemen 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sufyan Abu Zayda, Palestinian Minister for Prisoners Affairs: "I think most of the Palestinian people, especially those who came here, support this decision and the Palestinian soldiers that came here in order to protect the Palestinian interests and to protect the Palestinian people. That is the mission of the forces here and we are here to say thank you for all to them." 6. Men shaking hands with policeman 7. Wide of crowd 8. Islamic Jihad spokesman, Nafez Azam, walking into office 9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nafez Azam, Islamic Jihad Spokesman: "We have met with Abu Mazen before and after the Eid (Muslim holiday) there were generally positive results. We have discussed many problems. The problems are many and very big but we have not reached an agreement on a ceasefire. It was agreed to continue the meetings." 10. Azam on his phone STORYLINE: The militant Palestinian organisation Islamic Jihad says that an agreement with the Palestinian leadership has not yet been achieved, but that talks with Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas would continue. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, popularly called Abu Mazen, began negotiations with militant groups on Saturday in the hope of winning their commitment to a ceasefire. On Sunday, the Israeli military said they are willing to suspend operations against Palestinian militants if they don't carry out attacks, signalling a change in position that could help pave the way toward an elusive cease-fire after more than four years of fighting. Meanwhile, the deployment of thousands of Palestinian security forces on Sunday was warmly welcomed by residents of the northern Gaza Strip. Several busloads of Palestinians travelled to the area to welcome the troops, shaking hands and warmly embracing the officers. Armed Palestinian police were deployed across the northern Gaza Strip on Friday to prevent rocket fire on Israeli communities - a significant step towards the two sides finding a way to end their bloody conflict and resume peace talks. Palestinians have called upon the Israelis, for their part, to call a halt to military incursions in occupied territory and assassinations of militants. The deployment came after Israel and the Palestinians renewed security coordination earlier this week. But residents remain cautious, fearful that the current period of quiet, like so many others before it, will be shattered. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...