Hamas Indicates it Won't Fire Rockets During Lull

International Herald Tribune
January 7, 2009

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/619/hamas-indicates-it-wont-fire-rockets-during-lull

The Syria-exiled Hamas leadership indicated the militants in the Gaza Strip won't fire rockets on Israel during a three-hour lull Wednesday, but would not explicitly announce their own halt to fire or commit to a truce with Israel.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, Hamas' No. 2 official in the Damascus offices, told Al-Arabiya Television that "rockets cannot be fired" during the lull, but would not explicitly say the militants were going along with the Israeli move.

Israel's military suspended its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday afternoon to allow aid and fuel into the embattled Palestinian territory, home of 1.4 million residents of Gaza who have been under an Israeli assault since Dec 27.

Abu Marzouk's office later clarified his comments did not mean an acceptance of a truce.

"We don't expect firing of rockets within the three hours, but that is not a position on the cease-fire," the office in Damascus said.

The developments apparently reflected Hamas was dodging a clear stand and was buying time.

Earlier, Abu Marzouk told The Associated Press the group was studying peace initiatives to end the violence in Gaza Strip but rejected a permanent truce with Israel as long as there is occupation.

Abu Marzouk's comments came a day after Egypt and France proposed a plan for ending the fighting in Gaza, which is under an Israeli invasion. The plan includes a call for an immediate cease-fire between Palestinian militants and Israel.

Abu Marzouk said Hamas received proposals from France, Turkey, Syria and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire, adding that Hamas stands by its demands for an immediate end to Israel's offensive, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and opening of the border with the strip.

A Hamas representative in Lebanon, Osama Hamdan, said the group was discussing the Egyptian-French initiative and will decide its position later. He told Al-Jazeera TV Hamas won't "accept international troops, at any rate" along the volatile border of the coastal strip.

More than 670 Palestinians have been killed so far since the offensive began on Gaza Dec. 27.

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