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Hamas declares 24-hour truce

Jerusalem: Even as Israel busied itself preparing diplomatic ground for military action in Gaza, Palestinian militant factions led by Hamas have declared a 24-hour ceasefire, apparently under Egyptian mediation.

“We are giving Egypt mediated talks a chance so that we are not blamed for escalation in violence in the region,” said Hamas spokesman Ihad al-Ghusain.

The group, however, threatened to launch suicide attacks if Jerusalem followed up on its threats and reiterated its earlier demands for a halt to Israeli incursions in the West Bank and opening of crossings leading to the Gaza Strip.

“If Israel wants a flare up, we are prepared to retaliate and defend ourselves”, al-Ghusain said. — PTI

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