Fatah and Hamas gree to unity government, Palestine to recognize Israel

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Palestinian leaders to stop violence against Israel: Abbas


Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Thursday that Palestinian militant groups had agreed on a ceasefire with Israel to end the almost-eight-week-old violence in the Gaza Strip.

"Yesterday, I met with all factions and they agreed on calmness and to stop all actions that could give others excuses to attack us," said Abbas during a speech in Gaza City.

Abbas also said that ceasefire was necessary for the Palestinians to "live in peace and security and to attract foreign investment."

Calmness and security were keys to economy, stabilization, education and an end to the Israeli sealing of Gaza, said Abbas, adding, "We want to move and we don't want the Rafah crossing to remain closed and we don't want to be isolated from the world."

The Rafah crossing, along with the other crossings on the Gaza borders, has been shut down by Israel since late June after Palestinian militants seized an Israeli soldier and Israel responded by launching a massive air and ground offensive.

As for the issue of the captive Israeli soldier, Abbas called for a prisoner swap.

"I think the issue of the Israeli soldier has to be ended. We have 10,000 heroes held in Israeli jails and they need freedom and safety," said Abbas.

Palestinian militants, who have taken the Israeli soldier hostage, have demanded Israel release Palestinian women, children and 1,000 prisoners.

But Israel has rejected it, insisting on the unconditional release of 19-year-old Gilad Shalit and a halt of the Palestinian militant rocket fire.

Over 160 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, the first of its kind in the desert coastal strip since Israel pulled out of it last summer.

Source: Xinhua