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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/15/AR2009011501285.html
Rift Apparent in Hamas on Cease-Fire
[AP/Washington Post] Salah Nasrawi and Sally Buzbee - Signs of sharp division are appearing within the top ranks of Hamas as fighting with Israel in Gaza intensifies and cease-fire talks brokered by Egypt reach a critical point. Gaza-based Hamas officials have sounded more willing in recent days to consider a deal for a temporary cease-fire, being pushed by Egypt, even though the proposal would leave Israeli troops on the ground in Gaza temporarily and keep the territory's borders sealed in the short term. But Hamas political officials close to the group's leadership-in-exile in Syria have characterized a cease-fire as still far away. Israeli intelligence assessments have repeatedly suggested differences emerging between the Syria and Gaza wings of Hamas. Israel's goal in the offensive is to inflict heavy damage on Hamas and force it to stop rocketing southern Israel. The rift suggests the on-the-ground Hamas people in Gaza - bearing the brunt of the offensive - are leaning toward a pragmatic compromise to end the bloodshed.