GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Hamas prime minister called publicly Wednesday for a period of calm with Israel, laying out conditions that would end attacks on Palestinian militants, open Gaza’s borders and lift economic sanctions.
But shortly after the appeal by Ismail Haniyeh, Israeli troops opened fire on a car in the West Bank town of Bethlehem and killed four Palestinian militants, clouding the prospects for a cease-fire.
Among the conditions for an end to fighting that Haniyeh set earlier was a halt to Israeli military operations in the West Bank.
“We are talking about a mutual comprehensive calm, which means that the enemy must fulfill its obligations,” Haniyeh said in a speech at Gaza City’s Islamic University. “The Israelis must stop the aggression … including assassinations and invasions, end the sanctions and open the borders.”
Haniyeh’s offer came amid signs that Israel and Hamas are moving closer to an Egyptian-brokered deal to end weeks of fighting that have killed more than 120 Palestinians and five Israelis.
Israel stepped up attacks on Gaza two weeks ago in response to repeated rocket barrages on southern Israeli towns by Hamas militants. The fighting has subsided in recent days. But both sides have denied talk of a formal truce and there are no direct contacts.
The United States fears that continued fighting will torpedo peace talks between Israel and moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who controls a West Bank government that rivals Hamas’ rule of Gaza.
Hamas does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and is sworn to its destruction. Israel refuses to deal with the Hamas government.
But cutting a deal with Hamas would amount to international recognition of its control of Gaza. Israel and Abbas — who are involved in internationally backed peace talks — would essentially be agreeing to work with the militants instead of trying to topple them, allowing Hamas to stay in power while they try to negotiate a peace deal.
Israel and Abbas hope to reach a final peace agreement by the end of the year. But Israel has said it cannot carry out any deal until Abbas regains control of Gaza.
