Non-Subscriber Extract
Israel mulls 'mediation' with Hamas over Qassam rocket attacks
20 December 2007
Israel's Minister of Transportation Shaul Mofaz said on 19 December that Israel would accept "mediation" with Hamas as part of an effort to halt Qassam rocket attacks on southern Israel from the Gaza Strip.
Mofaz's remarks came a day after Hamas leader Ismail Haniyah said in interview with Israel Army Radio that the group could bring an end to the rocket attacks - which have been launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) - but that Israel's targeted assassinations were hindering its efforts. It is thought that Hamas has been attempting to halt the attacks through negotiation with PIJ since June.
Mofaz - a former minister of defence - was supported in his call by Minister without Portfolio Ami Ayalon, who has been a persistent advocate of negotiating a ceasefire with Hamas. Vice Premier Haim Ramon also backed Mofaz's call, although he was pessimistic about a positive outcome.