Hamas: Israel will gain nothing by using force

Israel's failed incursion in Gaza has shown the country that it will gain no concessions from Hamas by using force, a senior group leader told Ynet Monday. "As a result, we recognize willingness on Israel's part to discuss all the issues, including the opening of the border crossings," he added.

Other Hamas officials expressed hope that the reported understandings with Israel on a truce in the area would expand to include the border crossings and an easing of the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.

If Israel honors the understandings regarding a regional lull, this could lead to an expansion of these informal agreements and to the opening of the crossings, including the Rafah crossing, the official said.

"Our main objective is to reduce the suffering of the Palestinian people," he stated.

Palestinian sources told Ynet Sunday that the understandings between Israel and the armed Palestinian factions on a ceasefire have gone into effect during the weekend.

No formal agreement reached

However, both sides have officially denied that any agreement on the matter has been reached.

Hamas spokesman Iman Taha said Monday that no comprehensive ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been reached and that his organization will continue its rocket fire in the future.

Taha did, however, hint of a possible understanding, saying "if Israel resumes its assaults we will resume rocket fire. The current situation is more a tactical decision by Hamas than an agreement with Israel."

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Olmert stressed Monday that the military operations in the Gaza Strip were set to continue.

During a visit to the Tel Hashomer recruitment base, Barak stated that "whoever thinks that this is the end of the story and that there's already a truce is wrong… we haven't finished anything and the important trials are still ahead."