GAZA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Hamas-led Palestinian cabinet said Wednesday that it was considering negotiating with Israel to ease suffering of the Palestinians.

   "Hamas is willing to negotiate with Israel, but it's not necessary to recognize the state of Israel," spokesman for Hamas-led cabinet Ghazi Hamad said in a statement.

   "The aim of the talks should be improving the Palestinian people's life," he stressed.

   Palestinian Minister of Health Bassem Na'eim underlined that the talks could be held without recognizing Israel.

   Israel has ruled out contact with Hamas until it renounces violence, recognizes Israel's right to exist and accepts previous accords.

   Israel has also halted transferring tax payment to the Palestinian government since Hamas won the Jan. 25 legislative elections.

   The United States and the European Union have cut off crucial aid to the Palestinian government since Hamas took office on March 29 due to Hamas rejection to renounce violence, recognize Israel and honor previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

   The cash-strapped Hamas-led government has been unable to pay salaries to 160,000 government employees for the past two months as a result of the sanctions.  Enditem