Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, December 22, 2003
US official meets Hamas representatives in Gaza
Steve Cohen, a member of US Council on Foreign Relations, met on Sunday with representatives of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas in Gaza city, Palestinian sources said on Monday.
Steve Cohen, a member of US Council on Foreign Relations, met on Sunday with representatives of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas in Gaza city, Palestinian sources said on Monday.
The meeting was held to seek ways of reaching a ceasefire agreement with Israel, the sources said.
Hamas said it will agree to a ceasefire only if the United States removes it from the list of terrorist organizations, lift the financial sanctions imposed on the movement and end attacks against its militants and leadership, the sources said.
Cohen's visit to Gaza city was followed by a visit to Tel-Aviv, where he briefed Israeli officials on the outcome of the talks withthe Hamas representatives, the sources added.