( Reuter )- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Palestinians on Monday to quickly resume peace talks with Israel, which were suspended in protest over Israel's military offensive that killed more than 100 Palestinians in the Gaza strip.
Rice said a deal to end the six-decade Israel-Palestinian conflict is still possible before President Bush leaves office despite the recent violence.
"I'm hopeful that we can get through this current situation and get back to negotiations," Rice said as she headed to the Middle East for two days of shuttle diplomacy in Israel, Egypt and the West Bank.
Rice's trip amounted to a rescue mission, trying to keep Palestinians and Israelis talking despite open warfare that engulfed the Gaza Strip.
"I continue to believe that they can get to a deal by the end of the year if everyone's got the will to do it," Rice said.
She defined a deal as a framework for an eventual Palestinian state, not a final agreement that resolves all the issues between both sides.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
BRUSSEL, Belgium (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is urging Palestinians to quickly resume peace talks with Israel.
The talks were suspended in protest over Israel's military offensive that killed more than 100 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Rice said Monday a deal to end a six-decade Israel-Palestinian conflict is still possible before President Bush leaves office despite the recent violence.
She said she hoped all sides can get through the current difficulties and get back to negotiations.
Rice made her remarks as she headed to the Middle East for two days of shuttle diplomacy in Israel, Egypt and the West Bank.