Hamas group disowns govt ceasefire offer to Israel

GAZA, June 16 (Reuters) Hamas militants today distanced themselves from a ceasefire offer that the Palestinian government led by the Islamist group made to Israel.

Differences over the truce offer, which was conditional on Israel halting military activity in Gaza and the West Bank, could point to disagreement between Hamas's grassroots and the government over its tactics toward the Jewish state.

''We are not interested in making any offers or proposals. When the occupation stops its killings and crimes against our people then the factions may look into the issue in accordance with the interests of our people,'' said Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas's official spokesman.

Abu Zuhri said a ceasefire offer announced by the cabinet spokesman yesterday in an interview with Israel Radio represented the government, and not the group.

The Islamists formed the Palestinian government in March after winning parliamentary elections. Hamas members hold all key cabinet positions, including the prime minister's portfolio.

Hamas's armed wing scrapped a 16-month truce with Israel a week ago and soon after launched a barrage of makeshift rockets at the Jewish state from the Gaza Strip.

Earlier this week a senior member of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's party threatened Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh with assassination if Hamas resumed suicide bombings.

And Israeli media reports said the director of Israel's Shin Bet security service had warned Hamas, via the aides of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, that its leaders would be targeted if rocket attacks continued.

Rocket launchings have dropped sharply in the past two days.

REUTERS SB BST1608