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Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-05-11-voa12.cfm
Israel Considers Truce Offer from Hamas
[VOA News] Robert Berger - Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman will present Israel on Monday with a truce offer from the Islamic militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip. Israeli spokesman Arieh Mekel says Israel would welcome a halt to the daily rocket attacks. "The ball is in Hamas' court. If they were to stop these attacks, Israel will have no reason to react and there will be peace and quiet," said Mekel. But some Israeli officials, as well as the army, strongly oppose a ceasefire. They say Hamas would use a truce to regroup and rearm for the next round of violence. "Therefore, it is inevitable with the acquisition of weapons by Hamas, based on its creed of warfare against Israel, based on its training in Iran, based on its jihadic war effort and ethos, that fighting will continue," said Israeli analyst Mordechai Nissan. Hamas is seeking a ceasefire because it has been hit hard by Israeli sanctions and military incursions.