The following was issued  by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Media Adviser:

"In the wake of various reports from foreign sources to the effect that Israel is about to sign, as it were, a lull agreement with Hamas, we should like to clarify the following:

Israel is not conducting any negotiations with Hamas and will certainly not reach any understandings with it.  In contradiction to these reports, there will be no "kitchen Cabinet" meeting today (Saturday), 14.2.09.  Consultations will be held tomorrow (Sunday), 15.2.09, on the continuation of Israel's policy regarding the situation in the south, during which a range of matters will be considered.  In any case, should a decision of any kind be required, it will be made only via a meeting of the Security Cabinet and after taking into account all of the new political circumstances that have been created in the wake of the recent Israeli elections.

We should like to emphasize that the security of residents of the south and the release of Gilad Shalit are currently at the top Israel's priorities.  Israel will do its utmost to advance these two goals.  Prime Minister Olmert's position is that Israel will not reach understandings on a lull before Gilad Shalit's release."