End Aggressions, Rockets Stop: Meshaal

"They [Israelis] do not want to end the occupation, stop attacks or lift the siege. What do people expect the Palestinians to do," Meshaal told a press conference in the Syrian capital Damascus.

He accused Israel and its allies of twisting facts and spreading lies that Hamas is a stumbling bloc to reach a ceasefire.

The Hamas leader reminded the international community that his group committed itself to past truces in 2003, 2005 and 2006, but Israel never kept its part in the bargain.

Bleeding Gaza

Gaza "Terrorists"
"We tell all Arab and European officials that whosoever can secure an Israeli commitment to halt aggressions in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, Hamas stands ready to deal with this seriously and stop (firing rocket)," Meshaal stressed.

"I say it publicly, not under the table. Put us to the test and throw the ball in our court to see what we will do. Let an Arab leader or even an international leader stop Israeli aggressions and ask us to stop the rocket attacks."

The chief of the Israeli left-wing Meretz party, Yossi Beilin, said Hamas has repeatedly signaled readiness for a truce over the last few weeks only to be given the cold shoulder by Israel.

Meshaal stressed that if the international community fails to resolve the Palestinian cause diplomatically then "we have no other option but to resist."

"It is our destiny to fight this unfair battle, which has been imposed on us. We never chose to fight it."

At least 60 Palestinians, including many women and children, were killed Saturday in an ongoing Israeli onslaught against the sealed off Gaza Strip.

The fatalities take to at least 98 the number of Palestinians, third of them children, killed in four days of Israeli raids and air strikes.

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