Palestinian faction Hamas on Thursday agreed to a ceasefire with Israel in the Gaza Strip first, the Egyptian MENA news agency reported.

Former Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar made the announcement at a press conference after the talks here between the Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and a high-level Hamas delegation under Zahar, the MENA report said. Under the Egyptian mediating efforts, the ceasefire would be extended to the West Bank within six months, Zahar was quoted assaying.

Egypt's success in achieving "quiet" between Hamas and Israel will help lift the blockade on the Palestinian people, pave the way for Palestinian-Israeli negotiations, resume inter-Palestinian dialogue and exchange prisoners, a senior Egyptian official said earlier.

However, Israel said it was ready for "quiet" at the Gaza border, but it requires a complete halt to attacks by Hamas on Israelis, a stop to cross-border rocket fire from all Palestinian groups and an end to weapon smuggling into Gaza. Led by Zahar and former Interior Minister Said Siam, the Hamas delegation arrived here Wednesday from Damascus where they discussed truce proposals with exiled Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshaal.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip and deposed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneya vowed that the ceasefire with Israel must include the West Bank in addition to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Egypt has been mediating between Israel and Hamas to broker a ceasefire deal.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2008)