By Xinhua,
Gaza : Hamas will decide its stance regarding ceasefire with Israel after receiving the Israeli responses to the ceasefire proposal Sunday in Cairo, a Hamas spokesman said.
The spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhri, added that the Islamic movement’s stance regarding the ceasefire “was determined,” stressing that it will not commit itself to the lull if Israel did not open crossing points into Gaza.
He also reiterated that the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, whom Hamas holds as hostage in Gaza, will not be freed under the ceasefire deal.
Egypt proposed the ceasefire a few months ago to decrease Israeli attacks and to lift the closure that Israel imposed on the Gaza Strip since a year ago as a result of Hamas’ violent takeover of the territory.
Hamas accepted the offer but asked for more clarifications from Israel which linked the lifting of the blockade with the release of Shalit whom Hamas holds for nearly two years. Hamas insists that Shalit will only be freed under a prisoner exchange deal.
“If Hamas releases Shalit, the Israeli occupation will not lift the siege on Gaza because it mainly works on breaking down Hamas and the Palestinian resistance,” Abu Zuhri said.