Hamas offers a year-long truce with Israel and opening of the crossings into the Gaza Strip through indirect talks mediated with Egypt.
An official from the movement said on Monday that Hamas accepts a one-year truce "with guarantees that Israel shows commitment to lift the siege and completely reopen crossings", Xinhua reported.
A delegation from Hamas is currently holding truce talks in Cairo with Egyptian officials over an 18-month Israeli blockade of Gaza, a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners with Israel.
Ayman Taha, a Hamas negotiator, said on Monday that Tel Aviv is considering the opening of the Gaza crossings as well as releasing 1,000 prisoners in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit.
"Israel hinted it might accept an 18-month truce with Hamas for reopening Gaza crossings and partially lift the blockade and not completely, but Hamas rejects it," Taha told reporters in Cairo and insisted that "the siege should be completely lifted."
Egypt brokered a six-month ceasefire that ended on Dec. 19, just one week before Israel launched its 23-day military incursion into the Gaza Strip.
Hamas did not accept the truce because Israel kept the blockade on Gaza.
Israel unleashed Operation Cast Lead on the Gaza Strip on Dec. 27, allegedly to put an end to rocket attacks against southern Israeli towns. At least 1,330 Palestinians died during the offensive, while some 5,450 others were reported wounded.
SF/SME
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