Source: Jerusalem Post, 04-06-2008
'Israel's' position regarding the Egyptian initiative for achieving a truce with the Palestinians is totally unclear, but that does not mean that Hamas does not want a cease-fire, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday.
"Hamas' position toward the Egyptian initiative is very clear," said Haniyeh.
"We have said that we will accept a truce in return for the lifting of the siege, the reopening of the border crossings and an end to the 'Israeli' aggression on our people."
Haniyeh said that in spite of his movement's clear position, 'Israel' still hasn't come up with clear answers.
"The 'Israeli' position remains very obscure," he said.
"We don't know what their real position is. However, the door has not been closed and the Egyptian efforts in this regard are continuing."
Hamas parliamentarian Salah Bardaweel also talked Tuesday about "contradictions" in the 'Israeli' stance toward the Egyptian initiative.
"Recently we have seen contradictory statements come out of the 'Israelis'," he said.
"This reflects the state of confusion and uncertainty they are in after failing to break the will of the Palestinian people."
Bardaweel admitted that 'Israel' did want a truce, but said "the truce they want is one that would strengthen the 'Israeli' position without having to make concessions."
He warned that if 'Israel' continued to insist on its current position, "the day would come when the 'Israelis' would start pleading for a cease-fire. Then they would have to accept a cease-fire under Palestinian conditions."
Bardaweel denied reports of a secret understanding between Hamas and 'Israel' regarding a truce.
"Until now there is no truce with the 'Israeli' enemy," he said, adding "The only dialogue between us now is through the rifles."
He said that Hamas views the truce as one of many "tactics" in managing the conflict with 'Israel' and not as a final solution. In any case, he went on to say, "It's not in Hamas's interest to declare the failure of the truce talks. If the 'Israeli' enemy does not accept our conditions, we will have to continue the resistance."