Abbas says willing to advance Israel-Hamas ceasefire

(Video) 'The president is willing to advance a comprehensive ceasefire to save our people,' a statement released by Abbas' office following IDF operation in Gaza. Erekat: Peace talks between PA, Israel still suspended

Ali Waked and AFP
Published: 03.03.08, 17:04 / Israel News

VIDEO - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Monday afternoon that he would be willing to work toward a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas following the army's recent operation in Gaza, which left more than 110 Palestinians dead.

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Hamas vows to compensate Gazans hurt in IDF operation / Ali Waked

IDF's Operation Warm Winter leaves 110 Palestinians dead, great damage, but organization insists it defeated Israeli army. Thousands attend victory marches in Gaza; Hamas' al-Zahar promises to rebuild houses damaged in airstrikes, says kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit won't be released before Israel frees Palestinian prisoners

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A statement released by Abbas' office said "the president is willing to advance a comprehensive ceasefire to save our people. He calls on Israel to "embrace this initiative."

The Palestinian president, who said he would be willing to mediate between the sides when Israel first imposed its blockade on the Strip some two months ago, has suspended the peace talks with Israel in light of Operation Warm Winter.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said following the IDF's retreat from north Gaza that "the talks with Israel will remain frozen for the time being.

"We are working to bring calm to Gaza; we want to make certain that what happened (in Gaza) won't repeat itself," he said."

Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians marched in Gaza Monday afternoon in rallies organized by Hamas, carrying the movement's green flags.

Video courtesy of infolive.tv

During the rallies, Hamas leaders praised the "great victory" against the IDF in the Israeli army's first operation in the town of Jabalya.

One of the rally's main speakers, senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar, said the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit would not be released until Israel accepted all of his organization's conditions.

He vowed to compensate all the Gazans whose property was damaged during the operation, just like Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah promised Lebanese citizens after the Second Lebanon War.

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