Hamas to keep fighting if terms not considered

The Palestinian militant Hamas group will continue fighting against Israel if none of its demands for a ceasefire are met, an official from the group said today.

Apparently reacting to reports that Israel could call off its offensive and declare a unilateral cease-fire without considering Hamas demands, Beirut-based Osama Hamdan said fighting would continue.

"Today, the movement's delegation arrives in Cairo. To be clear, we have nothing new to offer. We are not going to go back to the first point in the discussions and dialogue.

"Either we hear what we want or the result will be continuing the confrontation on the ground," said Hamdan, who is close to movement leader Khaled Mashaal.

He added that for Israel to call a unilateral ceasefire while negotiations were under way in Cairo undermined the mediators, a reference to Egypt that has been promoting its own initiative to end the fighting and resolve the long-running crisis.

A Hamas delegation was set to arrive in Cairo today amid the frenzied international diplomacy to end 22 days of fighting.

Israel launched attacks on the Gaza Strip on December 27 to put an end to Hamas rocket attacks.

More than 1,100 Palestinians have since been killed.

Hamdan said Hamas had a clear vision that included ending the "aggression", a withdrawal of Israeli forces, an end to the siege and opening of the crossings.

"If any vision does not achieve these things, then we will continue in the battle on the ground," he said.

Senior Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, speaking at a news conference in Istanbul, vowed the group's militants would never surrender in Gaza, but would continue to fight more powerful Israeli forces.

Abu Zuhri, who is based in Syria, said Hamas "will not bow to invading forces, will not raise the white flag. We will continue fighting despite our limited means".

"What are they expecting us to do? Should we watch our children die? Do they want us to wait for death at home? This will never happen."

He accused Israel of bombing civilians in the Gaza Strip, and said Hamas was opposed to having armed international force in the region.

He also rejected allegations of weapons smuggling from Gaza to Egypt.

"We will regard any armed force in Gaza as invading force, but we can accept international monitors to be stationed at Rafah border" with Egypt, he said.

"If there are any weapons smuggled, they are smuggled from Egypt to Gaza," Abu Zuhri said.

The Hamas official also said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was not authorised to represent Hamas in any peace talks.

"How can we authorise Mahmoud Abbas? He has only given concessions so far," Abu Zuhri said.

17/01/2009