Hamas leader says ready for new ceasefire

    GAZA, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- 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.

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

Durable peace deal between Israel, Hamas unlikely

    JERUSALEM, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- After Hamas ended a six-month-old Egyptian-brokered ceasefire with Israel, analysts believe a durable peace agreement between the Palestinian Islamic movement and the Jewish state is unlikely, as it would go against Hamas' ideology and undermine Israel's long-term security objectives.

    Hamas spokesman in the Gaza Strip Fawzi Barhom said in a statement on Thursday that "there is no room to extend the Tahde'a (truce) with Israel, which ends on Friday," blaming Israel for "bearing the full responsibility for its collapse." Full story

Hamas to form referential council to back its Gaza gov't

    GAZA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement intends to form a national referential committee to back its Gaza deposed government and its Premier Ismail Haneya, a senior Hamas official said on Monday.

    Khalil al-Hayyah revealed to reporters that his movement had recently held contacts and consultations with leaders of other factions and political groups to form the committee to back the government in times of crisis. Full story

Hamas warns of suicide bombings inside Israel likely if Gaza attacked

    GAZA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement on Monday saidit doesn't rule out resorting to suicide bombings inside Israel if the Jewish state escalated military operations in the Gaza Strip it controls.

    "The Palestinian resistance has the right to use every available means to defend the people in the face of the Israeli aggression, including martyrdom operations," said Ayman Taha, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza. Full story

Israeli defense minister: Ongoing rocket fire unacceptable

    JERUSALEM, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that Israel will not accept the ongoing rocket fire from the Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

    His remarks came four days after the expiration of the six-month ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian groups in Gaza, who announced they would not be renewing the truce. Full story