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Hamas offers truce in Gaza Strip Hamas offers truce in Gaza Strip
(about 8 hours later)
Palestinian militant group Hamas has proposed a six-month truce in the Gaza Strip, which it says could then be extended to the West Bank. The Palestinian Islamist movement, Hamas, has proposed a six-month truce in the Gaza Strip, which it says could then be extended to the West Bank.
Former Palestinian foreign minister Mahmoud Zahar said the truce must be mutual and include the lifting of an Israeli blockade of Gaza. Former Palestinian foreign minister Mahmoud Zahhar said the truce would have to be mutual and include the lifting of an Israeli blockade of Gaza.
He gave the proposals to Egyptian negotiators, who were expected to pass them on to Israel. He gave the proposals to Egyptian negotiators, who were expected to pass them on to the Israeli government.
Israeli officials said they were sceptical about the chances of a truce.Israeli officials said they were sceptical about the chances of a truce.
Hamas described the proposed truce as a "period of quiet".Hamas described the proposed truce as a "period of quiet".
Israel said it was ready for "quiet" on its border with Gaza, but has demanded a stop to rocket attacks against Israelis and weapon smuggling into the coastal strip.Israel said it was ready for "quiet" on its border with Gaza, but has demanded a stop to rocket attacks against Israelis and weapon smuggling into the coastal strip.
"We can't have a period of quiet that will just be the quiet before the storm," said Israeli spokesman Mark Regev."We can't have a period of quiet that will just be the quiet before the storm," said Israeli spokesman Mark Regev.
Meanwhile, two Israeli security guards were shot dead early on Friday morning in the Nitzanei Shalom industrial zone, near the West Bank city of Tulkarem, police have said.
An initial investigation into the incident found that at least one gunman had broken into the factory where the men worked, opened fire and escaped.
Deliveries haltedDeliveries halted
Mr Zahar announced the Hamas proposal at a meeting with Egyptian intelligence head Omar Suleiman in Cairo. Mr Zahhar announced the Hamas proposal at a meeting with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman in Cairo.
Mr Suleiman has been the main point of contact between Hamas and Israel.Mr Suleiman has been the main point of contact between Hamas and Israel.
"The truce must be mutual and simultaneous and the blockade must be lifted and the crossing points opened," Mr Zafah said, adding that this included the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt. "The truce must be mutual and simultaneous and the blockade must be lifted and the crossing points opened," Mr Zahhar said, adding that this included the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
The Rafah crossing has mostly been closed since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip last year, though Palestinian militants temporarily breached the crossing earlier this year. The Rafah crossing has mostly been closed since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in June, though Palestinian militants temporarily breached the crossing earlier this year.
Palestinian factions would be invited to discuss the proposal next week, Mr Zahar said. Palestinian factions would be invited to discuss the proposal next week, Mr Zahhar said.
Israel says it reserves the right to protect its citizens by military actionIsrael says it reserves the right to protect its citizens by military action
Hamas had previously said that a truce should begin at the same time in both Gaza and the West Bank.Hamas had previously said that a truce should begin at the same time in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Gaza has been a focus of recent violence, with the Israeli military carrying out raids to target Hamas members, while Hamas has fired rockets at nearby Israeli towns.Gaza has been a focus of recent violence, with the Israeli military carrying out raids to target Hamas members, while Hamas has fired rockets at nearby Israeli towns.
Israel has all but sealed off the Gaza Strip since Hamas took control of the area.Israel has all but sealed off the Gaza Strip since Hamas took control of the area.
On Thursday, the UN said that it had halted food deliveries in Gaza because it had run out of fuel.On Thursday, the UN said that it had halted food deliveries in Gaza because it had run out of fuel.
Israeli sanctions imposed in an attempt to curtail rocket fired by Palestinian group Hamas have caused shortages, but Israel says Hamas is preventing fuel distribution.Israeli sanctions imposed in an attempt to curtail rocket fired by Palestinian group Hamas have caused shortages, but Israel says Hamas is preventing fuel distribution.
More than 80% of Gaza's population rely on aid, with UN food hand-outs going to about 1.1 million people - many them children. More than 80% of Gaza's population relies on aid, with UN food hand-outs going to about 1.1 million people - many them children.