Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya says the Islamist organisation is open to a long-term truce with Israel, but warns it will retaliate if provoked. He calls on Israel to stop 'playing with terminologies and hiding behind them', and threatens to renew confrontations with Israel 'more violently than before' if attacked[/caption]As truce is extended, negotiator says Hamas doesn't want more death but will only sign deal that meets Palestinian demand
Hamasbelieves there is a "real opportunity" to reach an agreement with Israelin Cairo negotiations to end the conflict inGaza, saying it is "not interested in more bloodshed".
The positive signals from the Islamist organisation, which has fought a 30-day war with Israel, came after mediators brokered a five-day extension to the current ceasefire shortly before a midnight deadline on Wednesday.
Despite there being some rocket fire from Gaza and air strikes by Israel as efforts to extend the truce went to the wire, the ceasefire held throughout Thursday. It expires at midnight on Monday.
Both the Palestinian and Israeli delegations left Cairo for a break in the talks, which are expected to resume on Sunday.
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