Hamas leader says ceasefire likely

Mahmud Zahar, a Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, said Hamas will enter negotiations with the ruling Fatah Party about attacks against Israel, probably next week.

"If the Israelis stop their aggression against our people, I think through the negotiations ... we can reach a final agreement," Zahar said.

In a speech to Israeli journalists, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Israel would halt offensive military operations in Palestinian areas if calm prevails.

Zahar made his comments after meeting with interim Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in Gaza City. Hamas has called on its members to boycott Palestinian presidential elections on January 9, but during the meeting Zahar indicated his willingness to work with the new Palestinian administration, according to Fatah officials who attended the meeting.

In four years of Israeli-Palestinian violence, Hamas has been responsible for scores of suicide bombings and other attacks against Israelis.

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