Less than a week after Israel and Hamas agreed to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire that ended Palestinian rocketry into Israel and a bombing campaign against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, negotiators are meeting in Cairo to complete the details of the deal that was largely accepted “in-principle.” The pact stipulated that “after 24 hours” the sides would negotiate such issues as free movement for Gazans, the opening of border crossings and the easing of restrictions on the transfer of goods. A boast by Hamas leaders that the group will continue to bring in missiles and armament from Iran is certain to figure high on the agenda. Meanwhile, in an unexpected gesture toward reconciliation with Fatah, Hamas has endorsed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ United Nations gambit – an effort it previously opposed. Israel and the United States are also softening their positions with reports that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu not to punish the Palestinians for going to the General Assembly for upgraded status as a non-member state as the Israeli has said he would. The Israeli daily Haaretz is also reporting last minute efforts by the US to insert wording into the resolution to assuage Israeli concerns even though most observers believe it’s too late to do so even if the Palestinians agree, which is highly unlikely. The unlikely changes include a Palestinian promise not to seek membership in the International Criminal Court and even more doubtful that the Palestinians will agree, a statement that the resolution does not imply Palestinian sovereignty over east Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza Strip.