Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 2 / Trend , R.Hafizoglu, U. Sadigova/
Hamas has agreed to sign a one-year truce, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum told Trend . "Hamas has agreed to sign a one-year truce on condition that blockade on Gaza is lifted and all check-points are opened," he said.
Israeli official sources reject signing of one-year truce with the Palestinian Hamas movement. "We still haven't a truce with Hamas. This statement was released by Palestinian press," Israeli Foreign Ministry official Yiqal Palmore said to Trend over the telephone from Jerusalem.
The truce provides the cessation of Israeli attacks on Gaza in response to Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israeli towns.
The recent operation that lasted 22 days have caused the deaths of 1,300 Palestinians and 5,500 people were wounded, BBC quoted Palestinian physicians as saying. On Jan. 18, Israel withdrew its troops from Gaza and officially declared cessation of assaults. According to Israeli army, Hamas continues shelling of Israeli territories presently.
The Hamas's statement on the truce has not been confirmed by Israeli officials and it was worked out in detail, the spokesperson said.
"We carefully review every agreement with Hamas, as it is in our interests. A new agreement with Hamas should be of a long-term, as required by UN Security Council," Palmore said. The key terms of the further agreement is Hamas must follow and respect all points of the paper.
One of the main points of the further agreement between Israel and Hamas is to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. He was captured by members of the movement in 2006. However, Barhoum said that the movement leaders are not going to include the issue to the talks with Israel.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel began after expire of the six-month cease-fire agreement signed under Egypt's mediation. Hamas, for several days continuously shelled Israeli city of Ashkelon and Sderot with Kassam rockets in response to prolonged blockade of Gaza
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