By Xinhua,
Gaza : The Islamic Resistance Movement, or Hamas, is still awaiting Israeli clarifications on questions raised by the Islamic movement regarding an Egyptian offer for a ceasefire in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
Taher al-Nounou, spokesman for the deposed Hamas government, added that the questions were delivered to the Egyptian mediators when a Hamas delegation visited Cairo last week.
He added that Hamas’ stance regarding the ceasefire will not alter. “The lull is mutual, simultaneous and comprehensive… it can not be discussed without ensuring the lifting of the siege and reopening the crossings for the Palestinian people.”
Hamas and the Palestinian factions accepted the Egyptian proposal on ceasefire but Israel demanded the release of a soldier that Hamas kidnapped in 2006.
Hamas refuses to link Gilad Shalit the soldier’s release with the ceasefire deal, saying Shalit can not be released without a prisoner exchange deal ensuring the freeing of a number of Palestinian prisoners.
The Egyptian proposal came after Israel increased the military attacks and tightened the blockade it imposed on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip when the Islamic movement violently seized control of the Strip in June 2007.
“The ongoing siege and the aggression aims at extorting the Palestinian people,” al-Nounou said.