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Hamas official rules out extending Gaza ceasefire

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-14 20:40

GAZA -- A Hamas leader on Sunday ruled out extending ceasefire with Israel, accusing Israel of thwarting the lull.

Palestinian supporters of the Islamist Hamas movement ride in cars waving the movement's green flag during a rally on December 13 to mark the 21st anniversary of Hamas's founding in Gaza City ahead of the main celebrations expected Sunday. Thousands of Hamas supporters have gathered in Gaza City of Sunday to mark the anniversary. [Agencies]

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The Egyptian-brokered ceasefire took effect in Gaza Strip in June and will expire on December 19. It calls on Israel to ease Gaza blockade in exchange for halting cross-border violence between Palestinian fighters and Israeli soldiers.

"The (Israeli) occupation forces tore down the lull, its conditions and terms by sealing off the crossing points and keeping on its aggression against the Palestinian people," said Khalil al-Haya, a Hamas leader based in Gaza.

"I don't expect that the factions will extend the lull," he added.

The ceasefire relatively held until early November when Israeli forces carried out a sudden raid in southeast Gaza Strip, killing six Hamas militants and sparking rocket attacks by the armed Palestinian groups.

Up to 17 fighters were killed since the resumption of violence and Israel tightened the blockade on Gaza Strip, allowing only several convoys of food supplies in.