Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 01, 2003
Hamas Urges Israel to Stop Aggressions against Palestinians
Radical Palestinian group Hamas on Monday urged Israel to stop its aggressions against the Palestinians to ensure the success of a three-month Palestinian ceasefire.
Radical Palestinian group Hamas on Monday urged Israel to stop its aggressions against the Palestinians to ensure the success of a three-month Palestinian ceasefire.
"As long as Israel puts an end to its military actions, such atruce could be put on hold," a member of a Hamas delegation, whichis here to brief Egypt on the ceasefire, told Xinhua.
"We have promised to give a chance to the so-called roadmap peace plan, but this is based on how Israel assumes its responsibilities," said the official who declined to be named.
He said the delegation presented to Egyptian officials on adocument on the truce, adding the two sides discussed ways to sustain the ceasefire.
"Such a document reflects the Palestinians' desire to seek ajust and comprehensive peace in the region," he said.The delegation arrived here on Saturday to consult with Egyptian officials on how to pave the way for implementing the roadmap.
During talks with Egyptian officials, the delegation stressed the need for Israel to stop killing the Palestinians and lift its closure on Palestinian towns.
On Sunday, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad (Holy War) agreed on the ceasefire with Israel.
Egypt, a key peace broker in the Middle East, has worked hard tohelp Palestinian factions reach a ceasefire with Israel to pave theway for implementing the roadmap which envisions a full Palestinian statehood by 2005.
Under the internationally-drafted blueprint, the Palestiniansare supposed to curb anti-Israel attacks and cooperate with Israelin security affairs.
Meanwhile, Israel is required to halt all settlement activities and pull back from the Palestinian lands re-occupied since the start of intifada, or uprising, on Sept. 28, 2000.