The exiled number two of the Islamist
movement Hamas, Mussa Abu Marzuq, said Sunday an agreement was reached between
the Palestinian factions for a one-week truce to allow Israeli troops to
withdraw from Gaza, dpa reported.
Delivering a speech on Syrian state television, where the meeting of the
Palestinian factions took place, Abu Murzuq said: "We in the Palestinian
resistance movements announce a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and demand that
enemy forces withdraw in one week and open all the border crossings to allow
the entry of humanitarian aid essential needs."
He added that the movement is ready to accept all political efforts,
particularly those of the Egyptians, Turks, Syrians and Qataris, to reach an
agreement that meets Hamas' demands.
"Our demands are namely the lifting once and for all of the blockade and
the opening of all the crossing points, including the Rafah crossing"
between Gaza and Egypt, he said in remarks coming after Palestinian factions in
the Gaza Strip had announced the one- week ceasefire.