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Occupied Jerusalem: Two Israeli government ministers said yesterday they did not rule out third-party mediation with Hamas fighters who control the Gaza Strip to try to bring an end to rocket fire into southern Israel.
Israel refuses to negotiate directly with Hamas. But Israel has used Egyptian and other mediators in the past.
Tensions between Israel and Gaza fighters have escalated in recent days. Israel has killed 13 fighters in its most deadly air strikes in months against fighters behind rocket attacks from the Hamas-run territory.
The ministers' comments came after Israel's Channel 2 television reported on Tuesday that Hamas's leader in Gaza, Esmail Haniya, was prepared to hold negotiations to end militant rocket fire and Israeli attacks.
Haniya's aide later denied the report, but reiterated a Hamas proposal for a reciprocal ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank. Israeli officials said they knew of no new Hamas overtures for talks. "I think mediation is something to think about," Israeli Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz told Army Radio. But Mofaz made clear that Israel was not changing its demands that Hamas stop violence and recognise Israel, benchmarks set by major Western powers.
Israeli cabinet minister Ami Ayalon also said Israel should not rule out speaking to "anyone" to stop rocket attacks from Gaza, but urged caution to ensure a ceasefire would not lead to a strengthening of Hamas.
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