SandTrout
2005-01-23, 09:53 AM
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145172,00.html
The Israeli military is willing to suspend operations against Palestinian militants if they call off attacks, Israel's defense minister said Sunday, signaling a shift that could help pave the way for a cease-fire after more than four years of fighting.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz (search) also said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (search) has received assurances from at least two militant groups, Hamas (search) and Islamic Jihad, that they will halt attacks on Israel for at least a month.
During this time, a more detailed agreement, including the terms of possible political participation of the opposition groups, would be negotiated, Mofaz said. He did not say how he learned about the cease-fire.
Hamas officials gave conflicting responses to the reported truce. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group has agreed to a test period of 30 days. If Israel does not carry out military operations during this period, Hamas will consider an open-ended cease-fire, the official said.
But a second Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, denied any deal had been reached. "The things that Mofaz says, that we've reached a cease-fire, is not true. We're still studying the subject," he said, adding that a final deal would depend on Israel halting its attacks on the group.
The Israeli military is willing to suspend operations against Palestinian militants if they call off attacks, Israel's defense minister said Sunday, signaling a shift that could help pave the way for a cease-fire after more than four years of fighting.
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz (search) also said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (search) has received assurances from at least two militant groups, Hamas (search) and Islamic Jihad, that they will halt attacks on Israel for at least a month.
During this time, a more detailed agreement, including the terms of possible political participation of the opposition groups, would be negotiated, Mofaz said. He did not say how he learned about the cease-fire.
Hamas officials gave conflicting responses to the reported truce. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group has agreed to a test period of 30 days. If Israel does not carry out military operations during this period, Hamas will consider an open-ended cease-fire, the official said.
But a second Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, denied any deal had been reached. "The things that Mofaz says, that we've reached a cease-fire, is not true. We're still studying the subject," he said, adding that a final deal would depend on Israel halting its attacks on the group.