Hamas Wants Truce with Israel

It seems that Hamas has been feeling the heat from the embargo and the increased likely hood of an Israeli operation against it. Hamas told Egyptian officials that they would consider a ceasefire with Israel if it agrees to lift the embargo. That way, Hamas can gain strength and attack Israel later on.

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas said on Friday it has told Egyptian officials it would consider a ceasefire with Israel if it lifted its blockade of the Gaza Strip and ceased military operations in all Palestinian territories.

Hamas also discussed with Egyptian officials this week the possibility of a prisoner deal that could lead to the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, seized by Hamas in a 2006 raid, in exchange for Israel freeing several hundreds of Palestinians from its jails, Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said.

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Sources close to Hamas said Egypt, which brokered a year-long truce between the Islamist group and Israel in 2005, had wanted to explore Hamas's position before holding any possible talks with Israel.

Leading Hamas member Mahmoud al-Zahar traveled to Egypt on Thursday to resume talks with the Egyptian government about the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, which Hamas militants smashed open last month seeking relief from an Israeli blockade.

"Hamas said it has no objection to studying the issue if the Israeli occupation would stop all forms of aggression against our people and lift the siege," Abu Zuhri said, reiterating Hamas's position on a possible ceasefire.