GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Egyptian mediators have warned Hamas that parliamentary elections set for January 25 could be postponed if the Islamic terrorists don’t abide by a truce, including a promise to keep their weapons at home, an official close to the talks said yesterday.

Hamas, popular with voters and eager to claim a share of power, wants the election held on time.

Egypt delivered the warning after deadly weekend fighting between Hamas and Palestinian police, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk about the negotiations.

Egypt is increasingly influential in chaotic Gaza, with both the Palestinian Authority and armed groups seeking its backing and good will.

In a statement yesterday, Hamas did not refer to Egypt by name. Hamas alleged it was the target of a conspiracy aimed a “preventing us from participating in political life, either by obstructing the legislative election or by imposing conditions for holding the election.”

Israel insists that Hamas not participate in the election as long as it refuses to disarm. In the past two weeks, Israel has rounded up scores of Hamas candidates in the West Bank during a sweep against Palestinian Arab terrorists.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is also worried about the growing strength of his main political rival, but it remains unclear whether he would seek to postpone the vote if it becomes apparent Hamas could defeat his corruption-tainted Fatah movement.

Mr. Abbas is to meet with Prime Minister Sharon next week, ahead of talks with President Bush in Washing ton on October 20. The Palestinian Arabs want Israel to carry out promises made at a previous Abbas-Sharon summit in February, including the release of additional Palestinian Arab prisoners and an army withdrawal from more West Bank towns. Israel has said it can only move forward if Mr. Abbas reins in terrorists.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the summit is tentatively set for Tuesday, but much depends on a preparatory meeting he’ll hold with a top Sharon adviser, Dov Weisglass, on Friday. “I don’t think Israelis and Palestinians can afford a failed summit at this stage,” he said.

Israeli Vice Premier Ehud Olmert said Thursday that Israel won’t consider releasing prisoners involved in attacks, but told Israel Radio that “we can consider anything that can ease the lives of (Palestinians) and won’t endanger Israel’s security.”

Israel’s Supreme Court, meanwhile, banned the military’s practice of using Palestinian Arab civilians as “human shields” in arrest raids, saying it violates international law. The ruling was a rare instance in which the court agreed to take a stand in Israel’s conflict with the Palestinian Arabs.