Israeli ministers back Hamas truce

Mofaz says Hamas must recognise Israel as a state before direct talks can begin [AFP]

Two senior Israeli ministers have urged the government to examine any potential ceasefire proposal from Hamas, the Islamic movement that controls Gaza and does not recognise Israel as a state.

"If a serious offer for a truce from Hamas reached us, I think we should examine it seriously," Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli transport minister, said.

Mofaz, one of Israel's deputy prime ministers and a member of the main coalition party Kadima, ruled out direct political negotiations with the Islamic movement unless it recognises Israel.

Dialogue stressed

"If Hamas comes to us with a serious proposal for a long-term truce, in my opinion Israel should not reject it. For that, it would not be vital for Hamas to recognise Israel first," Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, Israel's infrastructure minister, said on Friday.

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