Gaza factions soften terms for Israel truce-source

GAZA, May 25 (Reuters) Palestinian armed factions signalled today that they may stop rocket salvoes from Gaza into Israel if Israel stops military action in the territory, softening earlier truce terms, a source said.

The source, a Palestinian official familiar with truce talks between the factions and representatives of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas, said the militants gave 48 hours in which to persuade Israel to accept the proposed Gaza ceasefire.

Previously the factions had demanded that Israel hold fire in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank in exchange for a cessation of rocket fire, which has surged over the past two weeks. The flare-up put paid to a Gaza truce agreed in November.

Reuters SZ GC0115