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Hamas leader says ready for new ceasefire

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-24 00:10

GAZA -- A senior Hamas leader on Tuesday said his movement can abide by ceasefire with Israel if the Jewish state respected the terms of the previous agreement.

Hamas militants patrol a street after a training drill near the border with the Gaza Strip in this December 19, 2008 file photo. [Agencies]

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Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader based in Gaza, made the remarks a few days after an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire expired.

Speaking to the Egyptian al-Ahram newspaper, Zahar reiterated that the Cairo-brokered June ceasefire, which ended Friday, can be renewed if Israel commits itself to the obligations of the agreement.

As the Palestinian factions observed another one-day ceasefire Monday, Zahar said "this position would be extended if positive developments were found."

Meanwhile, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said his movement will "study any offer" for ceasefire, adding it did not get any proposals so far.

However, Barhoum stressed in a statement sent to the media that any new ceasefire proposal "should include lifting the siege and opening the crossing points."

Israel sealed off the Gaza Strip last year after Hamas seized security installations in the territory.

The previous ceasefire agreement called on Israel to ease Gaza blockade in exchange for halting cross-border duel between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian fighters.

Since early November, the June ceasefire was left near collapse.