GAZA CITY ø Hamas asserts that its leadership has been discussing a
ceasefire with the United States.
Hamas sources said the contacts have included face-to-face meetings as
well as mediation from U.S. allies in the Middle East. The sources said the
talks have focused on ways to allow Hamas to be removed from the State
Department's list of terrorist organization.
"In principle, we are not hostile to contacts or meetings with the U.S.
administration," Mohammed Nazal, a member of Hamas's political bureau, said.
"In the past we have had such contacts without revealing their existence or
contents. We are leaving the door open to all, except representatives of the
Zionist entity."
Israeli authorities have tried to sever Hamas connections with Europe
and the United States, Middle East Newsline reported. On Dec. 29, Israeli security officers arrested Said
Maduhi, 42, as he was said to have been on his way to meet Hamas operatives
at the Hamas-dominated Al Aqsa Fund, declared a terrorist organization in
January 1998. On Jan. 1, Israeli authorities released Maduhi.
The sources said the talks included meetings with U.S. officials in
Beirut and Doha. They said Hamas has sought to lift U.S. and European Union
sanctions that threaten the organization's assets. The United States has
frozen Hamas assets but EU states have not done so.
Nazal denied assertions by Palestinian sources that Qatar has mediated
an effort for Hamas to end attacks on Israel. Hamas leaders have shuttled
between Damascus and Doha over the last few years.
U.S. officials have denied direct meetings with Hamas leaders. But they
said U.S. diplomats have discussed the Palestinian insurgency group with
those connected to Hamas.
In the West Bank, Israeli forces launched an operation to search for
would-be suicide bombers in Tulkarm. Israeli military sources said one
bomber preparing for a mission inside Israel was captured and another
insurgent, dressed as a woman, was also arrested in the city's refugee camp.
