Hamas Suspends Attacks In Israel

The militant Islamic group Hamas said Thursday it will stop attacks against Israel for one week, but demanded that Israel release Palestinian prisoners and halt its offensive against members of Hamas’ military wing.

The statement was released to The Associated Press by a Hamas source.

It said Israel had until the evening of March 8 to respond to the demands, and if it did not, “it will be considered that Israel is violating the agreement.”

Aliza Goren, an adviser to Prime Minister Shimon Peres, said the prime minister’s office had no comment on the demands. But Israel is highly unlikely to consider negotiating with the group it has vowed to destroy.