The Associated Press reports:
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh is publicly
calling for a truce with Israel, but says a number of
conditions must be attached to any ceasefire.
Haniyeh's demands include an end to Israeli military
activity in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, including an
end to assassination strikes against Hamas officials.
He also want Israel to lift its economic sanctions
against the enclave and reopen Gaza's borders, which
have been sealed since Hamas seized control of the
area last June.
Haniyeh used the word "tahdia" to describe the
informal ceasefire he seeks.
He avoided use of another word often used in Arabic,
"hudna," because it would imply recognition of Israel's
right to retaliate for attacks.
Both terms denote a temporary ceasefire rather
than a permanent peace.
"We are talking about a mutual comprehensive calm,
which means that the enemy must fulfil its obligations,"
Haniyeh said in a speech Wednesday at Gaza's
Islamic University.
"The Israelis must stop the aggression ...
including assassinations and invasions, end the
sanctions and open the borders."
With U.S. backing, Egypt has been trying to broker a
truce between Israel and Hamas following an especially
bloody round of fighting that left five Israelis and more than
120 Palestinians dead.
"There are efforts by the Egyptian brothers who are
working on this issue," Haniyeh said. "We as Palestinians
are waiting for the Israeli answers. The ball is in Israel's court."
The fighting has subsided in recent days, but both
sides have denied talk of a formal truce.
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