Hamas open to truce, also for fight

Hamas political bureau chief Khalid Mash'al says that Hamas is open to a tactical truce with Israel, but is prepared to escalate violent attacks if Israel rejects an offer for a ceasefire.

Mash'al made these comments during an interview with Al-Jazeera television after a day of meetings with Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who has been mediating between Hamas and Israel.

Mash'al said that his movement is still waiting on Egypt's official stance on the issue of a six-month ceasefire.

He said: "It is normal for any resistance that operates in its people's interest ... to sometimes escalate, other times retreat a bit... The battle is to be run this way and Hamas is known for that."

"In 2003, there was a ceasefire and then the operations were resumed."

"We are ready to cooperate seriously from a place of power," he added, warning, "If Israel does not accept, then we welcome confrontation."

Mash'al demanded that Israel lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip, saying, "If the blockade is not to be lifted from Gaza, then the Gaza Strip will explode."

The Hamas leader also said he is ready to hold reconciliation talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, also the leader of the rival Fatah movement.

Earlier Saturday, Mashaal said that Hamas is still waiting for Israel's official response to the group's six truce offer. During a press conference in Qatar, Mashaal said he had asked for a written commitment from Israel to open all of Gaza's border crossings, including the one at Rafah.

Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told London's Al-Quds Al-Arabi that if a truce is not reached the region could see unprecedented violence. During the phone interview, Abu Zuhri warned Israel against any attempt to place obstacles in the path of the truce efforts, and said that if the Egyptian efforts fail, "all possibilities will be open to Hamas."