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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Hamas says no to truce under blockade
2009-02-03
Hamas reiterates that the resistance movement favors a truce deal that envisages the opening of all border-crossings into the Gaza Strip. Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesperson for Hamas, said on Monday that the movement would agree to a one-year truce in and around the Gaza Strip provided the territory's border-crossings are opened.
Where is Fawzi? Cowering in Damascus?
"We agree in principle with a one-year truce," Barhoum said adding that Hamas has not ruled out an 18-month truce proposed by the Egyptian mediators. "Whether one year or a year and a half, it must be linked to the opening of all crossing points, including Rafah, and the lifting of the (Israeli) blockade," he said.

A Hamas delegation was due to travel to Cairo on Monday to present its response to the Egyptian proposals, Barhoum said.

Ahead of the final round of talks, Sami Abu Zuhri, another spokesman of the movement said Hamas will base its final decision on the Cairo talks.

Even though a ceasefire has been announced, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has not efficiently improved due to the 19-month blockade Israel has imposed on the coastal strip. As a result of the siege the crossings into Gaza remain closed and humanitarian aid entering the besieged strip remains below the minimum necessary for survival.
Posted by:Fred

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