GAZA, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement expected that a truce agreement to be reached with Israel within the coming days, if Israel gives convincing answers related to ending the blockade.

    Hamas spokesman in Gaza Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement that he expects a truce agreement to be announced within the coming days "if we receive from Egypt convincing answers related to siege and crossings."

    "If our Egyptian brothers receive from Israel convincing answers to our questions, we might reach an honorific deal within days that ends the siege and reopens the crossings," said Barhoum.

    Mahmoud Zahar, a senior Hamas leader, on Saturday publicly emerged for the first time since the beginning of Israeli onslaught in December, heading a Hamas delegation for ceasefire talks in Cairo.

    The four-person delegation crossed into Egypt Saturday afternoon through Rafah terminal on Gaza-Egypt border. Hamas delegation will hold further talks with senior Egyptian intelligence officials on the truce and the national dialogue.

    Barhoum said the answers Hamas delegation is expected to receive from Israel through the Egyptian mediator are related to the 20 percent of goods and materials that Israel won't allow into Gaza.

    Hamas has also asked for clarifications over the mechanism of operating the crossings and the role of the European inspectors, Barhoum said, denying that his movement had accepted joint Turkish-French inspectors on the crossings.

    "We wanted to know if the role of the foreign inspectors would be secure, technical or administrative. We actually don't ask guarantees from Egypt, but Egypt should insure guarantees that oblige the occupation to respect the deal. 

Chief of Hamas political bureau Khaled Meshaal (L) speaks during a rally in Tehran University Feb. 2, 2009. A Palestinian Islamic Hamas movement delegation led by Khalid Mashaal arrived in Iran on Sunday. (Xinhua/Che Ling) Photo Gallery>>>

Hamas leader calls for Iran's defence for Palestinians

    TEHRAN, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- Khalid Mashaal, visiting Hamas political bureau chief, called here Tuesday for Iran's defence for Palestinians, the official IRNA news agency reported.

    Mashaal made the call while participating in Iran's Majlis (parliament) assembly, asking Iranian officials and lawmakers to keep their positions to defend Palestinians.  Full story

Hamas leader urges Iran to continue to support Gazan people

    TEHRAN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Visiting chief of Hamas political bureau Khaled Meshaal on Monday urged Iran to continue to support Gazan people in their ongoing "battle" against Israel.

    "We call on you to continue with the steps to support the people of Gaza, because the battle is not over," Meshaal told a rally in Tehran University.  Full story

Israeli DM confirms military operation in Gaza

    JERUSALEM, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Air Force (IAF) is currently "operating" in the Gaza Strip, Defense Minister Ehud Barak confirmed on Tuesday.

    According to army sources, Barak made the remarks during the Herzliya Conference.

    Meanwhile, during a tour of the Northern Command of the army, Barak also warned of a response to the attack in the Gaza Strip.    Full story

Hamas slams Abbas for criticizing its rule of Gaza 

    GAZA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic movement of Hamas Monday slammed the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for criticizing the movement's political attitudes of ruling the Gaza Strip.

    Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas spokesman in Gaza made the accusation in a statement in response to Abbas' Sunday remarks during his two-day visit to Egypt that there is no dialogue with those who do not recognize Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Full story

Two Palestinians killed as Israeli-Palestinian violence flares
 
    GAZA/RAMALLAH, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed and five injured in both Gaza and the West Bank on Monday as violence between Israel and the Palestinians had mounted.

    Gaza emergency chief Mo'aweya Hassanein said that a Palestinian was killed and another was critically wounded in an Israeli air raid on their car that drove east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. Full story

Witnesses: Israeli aircraft hits car in southern Gaza

    GAZA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli aircraft struck by one missile a car that drove east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah, two people who were in the car were hurt, medics and witnesses said.

    Witnesses in the town said that an Israeli pilotless drone fire one air-to-ground missile at the car, and two people in the car were badly injured and their car was completely destroyed. Full story

Israeli army confirms killing of Palestinian near Hebron 

    GAZA, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army confirmed Monday that its troops shot and killed a Palestinian gunman near one of the Jewish settlement in southern West Bank area of Hebron, Israel Radio's Arabic service reported.

    An army spokesman was quoted as saying that a Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli army force as he was into a car that stopped near an Israeli army roadblock south of Hebron. Full story

Palestinian gunman killed by Israeli army in West Bank

   JERUSALEM, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian gunman was killed Monday in an exchange of fire with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in the West Bank, local daily Ha'aretz reported on its website.

   Palestinian militants shot at IDF soldiers in the Hebron Hills in the West Bank on Monday morning and the IDF subsequently returned fire, hitting one of the gunmen, said the report.Full story