By Heba Saleh BBC News, Cairo

The Palestinian Islamic group Hamas is discussing in Cairo the possibility of a one-year halt to suicide bombings within Israel.

The talks between Hamas and Fatah, the faction headed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, come after months of mediation by Egypt, Saudi Arabia and some European states.

The two sides are also discussing the participation of Hamas in forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Palestinian areas.

Arafat is under pressure to stop suicide bombings

Fatah has denied links to an attack in an Israeli kibbutz on Sunday which killed five people.

These are the first such detailed discussions between Hamas and Fatah since 1995.

They are being held in a secret location in Cairo, under an almost total news blackout.

Palestinian sources say the two sides are discussing the possibility of Hamas halting suicide bombings within Israel for one year.

Under pressure

So far it is not clear if they are likely to reach agreement, but a Hamas official has been quoted as saying the two sides have formed what he described as a joint political vision on how to face the next phase.

Mr Arafat is under pressure from Israel and the US over his failure to prevent suicide bombings.

Hamas has been responsible for many of these attacks.

Hamas also rejects the idea of a two state solution; it still wants to liberate all of British mandate Palestine, which encompasses what is now recognised as the state of Israel.

A Fatah official at the talks has said Hamas has refused to budge from that position.

The mediators are hoping to unite the Palestinians under the leadership of Mr Arafat, so that peace talks could resume.